Sheffield United v Queens Park Rangers: Geary retains gritty style despite threat to his career

SHEFFIELD United's Derek Geary is facing up to the reality that his football career may soon be over.

The tough-tackling defender is defying doctor's advice by playing for the Blades – and admits that he is prepared to pay the consequences.

Geary, 29, has now undergone five operations on his right knee and only recently returned to action after an absence of nearly 12 months.

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The Dubliner, who started his career with arch-rivals Sheffield Wednesday, has stunned everyone at Bramall Lane by making it back to the first team.

On leaving the pitch last Monday, after completing his first full 90 minutes since August 2008, Geary received a guard of honour from his team-mates.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow's FA Cup third-round tie against Queens Park Rangers, Geary spoke candidly about his reasons for playing on.

"As far as I am concerned, I might not even be alive in 10 years' time – so I will just take each day as it comes and play for as long as I can," he said. "I have spoken with my family about the long-term implications, my father and my mother, and I am going to worry about the future in the future.

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"Football is all I have ever done since growing up in Dublin as a kid.

"I don't know anything else and, whatever happens now, I am probably going to need a knee replacement in the future. I am just going to treat every game as if it is my last now.

"The way I play probably doesn't help," he reflected. "But I am not going to change my game because I won't be the same player.

"It is wear and tear on the cartilage.

"I had my first operation when I was 17 at Sheffield Wednesday and, after my third operation, I had six years injury free.

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"But when I had my last operation in December 2008, the surgeon turned round and said it didn't look good and I asked him the question, 'Is it possible to play again?'

"He didn't really give me a vote of confidence because he said it was 'possible' but not 'probable.' A few months later, I could not even run when the physios asked me to."

Geary regained confidence in the strength of his knee and was restored to the first-team squad in November. After two substitute appearances, he was thrown back in against Preston North End five days ago.

Recalling a crunch challenge with Preston's Callum Davidson, Geary said: "It felt like slow motion as I was running in. I knew I had to throw myself in and just hoped I could stand up again afterwards. I gave it my all and, even the physios said they were holding their breath, but luckily I got up and felt no side affects.

"That was a massive high point out of everything since I have been back."