Oxford United midfielder Cameron Brannagan says he “got away with one” when he injured his knee against Stoke City in September.
The 28-year-old has not featured since but recently received some good news after fearing he might need to have surgery.
“I was told I would have surgery which would have probably been looking at being out for five months,” Brannagan told BBC Radio Oxford.
“But I got some news this week that all my injections I had went well, I’m itching to be back but I was probably a couple more strings in the MCL away from having surgery, I got away with one.
“It could have been five instead of two or three months, I look at is as a blessing. I’m doing work with the physios and hopefully I’ll be back sooner rather than later.”
Brannagan featured in four of the U’s first five Championship games this campaign.
Last season he played in 43 of Oxford’s 46 League One matches as they won promotion to the second tier.