Paul Stokes has vowed to return a better player from his injury nightmare.

The Lewes midfielder has already been sidelined for 14 months following a broken ankle and subsequent complications.

He has had three operations to correct the problem and has spent £6,000 of his own money in an attempt to get fit.

Now there is light at the end of the tunnel for Stokes who has been told he will be back in action in August.

He is determined to prove the doubters, who have written off his career, wrong by recapturing the excellent form he showed before the injury.

Stokes, 29, said: "Some people have said I am finished and I can't wait to get back to prove them wrong.

"After the Stoke game in the FA Cup (November 2001) I was back to my best. I felt I was getting better and better. I will be a different player and I will be a better player.

" I need to get more on the ball. That is how I want to play and that is how I used to play. As time went by I seemed to get more of a holding role.

"I have spoken to Jimmy (Quinn, Lewes manager) about the way I want to play and he is happy with that."

Stokes' nightmare began on December 29, 2001, when he broke his right ankle during a match at home to Leyton Pennant.

He was due to return for pre-season training last July but the ankle was still giving him discomfort.

A piece of broken bone was removed and Stokes set a new comeback date of Christmas. However, he was still not feeling right and he underwent surgery for a third time last week.

He said: "I saw the specialist again and he said the body was rejecting the two screws they had put in the ankle. The heads were revealing themselves.

"I had to get them out. The ankle itself was good. It was just the screws. I had to make a quick decision in order to get it done for the start of next season.

"Once the screws have been taken out there are holes left there. The marrow must grow back which takes four to six months and that is why I needed to get the operation done as soon as possible.

"I had a choice of going private or waiting 14 months for the NHS."

Stokes' desire to get playing again has come at a price. His hospital bills have amounted to £6,000 and he has borrowed money from relatives.

As a scaffolder who had to take a number of weeks off work, the injury has hit Stokes financially as well as physically but he is philosophical.

He said: "I can see light at the end of the tunnel now.

"I am really positive and excited because it has been a long time. I am not very good watching.

"The rest will probably do me good. I haven't stopped kicking a ball since I was seven years old. I don't shirk out of any tackle. I was probably burnt out anyway."

Tomorrow, Lewes attempt to end a run of six games without a win at Tooting.