Wales defender Danny Gabbidon showed all the tenacity and determination that made him into a top-class defender to return to full training in May 2009 following 18 months out with a complicated abdominal problem.
Gabbidon's injury first took its toll in January 2008, but no one could have forecast that the setback would keep the 2005/06 Hammer of the Year out of action for so long. Thankfully, following surgery and a lengthy period of rehabilitation, he returned to join his team-mates during the final week of the 2008/09 season.
A former West Bromwich Albion trainee, Gabbidon made his first-team debut for the Baggies as a right-back in the 1-0 First Division defeat by Ipswich Town at The Hawthorns on 20 March 1999. After finding his opportunities limited under manager Gary Megson during the 1999/00 campaign, Gabbidon opted to join Cardiff City on loan in August 2000.
The following month, the Wales Under-21 international joined the Bluebirds on a permanent contract for a fee of £175,000. After establishing himself in the Cardiff first-team, Gabbidon played an influential role as the Welshmen reached the Division Two play-offs before losing out to Stoke City in the semi-finals.
The following season, 2002/03, Cardiff and Gabbidon went one better by beating Queens Park Rangers 1-0 at the Millennium Stadium to gain promotion to the First Division. Gabbidon made 25 league appearances before appearing in both play-off semi-finals ties against Bristol City and the final victory.
Gabbidon's rise to prominence continued in 2003/04 as he was named in the PFA Division One team of the season by his fellow professionals, while he continued to catch the eye during another consistent season in 2004/05.
The defender's form earned him a move to the Boleyn Ground in August 2005, joining on the same day as Cardiff team-mate and close friend James Collins. Gabbidon marked his first season as a West Ham United player by being voted Hammer of the Year and leading the Hammers to the FA Cup final. Unfortunately, there was not be no fairytale ending in Cardiff as West Ham were beaten on penalties by Liverpool.
The 2006/07 season saw Gabbidon struck down by a succession of hamstring and groin injuries that restricted him to just 18 matches and kept him out of action from January 2007 onwards as West Ham escaped from relegation from the Barclays Premier League.
The following season, 2007/08, was equally frustrating for the popular defender, who was struck down by abdominal problems after making just 14 appearances in league and cup. His last run-out was the reserve-team fixture away to Portsmouth in mid-January 2008. The injury and its associated complications caused Gabbidon to miss the whole of the 2008/09 campaign.
At international level, Gabbidon has been a regular for Wales since making his full debut in the goalless home draw with the Czech Republic in Cardiff in March 2002. Since then, he has often forged a strong central defensive partnership with club-mate Collins.