SAMMY Knott insists he will be East Thurrock United’s biggest supporter next season after he was ruled out for the majority of it through injury.

The 20-year-old full-back ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in the Ryman Premier League play-off final win over Dulwich Hamlet in May, as Rocks celebrated reaching the National League South for the first time in their history.

Knott was a big part of that success, playing 38 times for John Coventry’s men although he will be reduced to watching the majority of the upcoming season from the sidelines.

But he has backed the team to thrive in the National League South as he prepares to go under the knife, in what is the latest of a strong of injury problems.

“I have an operation set for August 3 and I am waiting pretty nervously to be honest,” said Knott. “I am fortunate as the surgeon I am seeing has managed to see me inside three months and he normally has a 14 month waiting list so that is something.

“I am in the gym a lot at the moment and am doing lots of work strengthening my hamstrings and quads as I have six weeks work off work after operation. I need to get the muscle ready for the wastage.

“I don’t want to think about it and I want to play a bit of the season. I don’t want to push myself and not be ready. But I want to play some part.

“I am always getting injured,” he added. “I had a double hernia operation when I was 16 so it has been tough and then I had to stop playing one year because of injuries as I had had enough of coming back from them.

“But I played nearly every game after Christmas last season and I was the fittest I have ever been. But against Dulwich I tried to shoulder barge someone and my boot got caught in the ground and my knee twisted and I heard a rip.

“I knew straight away it was bad but I was so pleased for the team to get the result.”

Knott joined Rocks from Aveley and was a key performer as the season continued although he believes a chastening experience in just his third game, against eventual champions Hampton & Richmond Borough, set him up well for the latter parts of the campaign.

“I was so pleased with last year and my first year playing that level for a whole season,” he said. “But I was saying to my dad I was worried I would struggle at one stage as I was dragged at half-time against Hampton.

“Their winger was so quick and I struggled but I mark myself now on my performance that day and I came on a lot.

“But the team is in a good shape. I know Teddy (Nesbitt) from Aveley and growing up together and my dad remembers Lee Burns playing. Joe (Gardner) has come in so too and anyone Danny Cowley rates has to be a good player.

“But I will be there supporting the team. The first game is straight after the operation so I might have to miss the first few but I will give it a go.”

*To see who East Thurrock United will face in the National League South this season visit thurrockgazette.co.uk/sport