Hunt opens up about Euro hurt

2012 has been an annus horribilis for Stephen Hunt, 12 months during which his Euro dreams turned to dust and his very career as a top-flight player appeared to be threatened by injury.

Once one of the Irish squad’s most high-profile personalities, the Wolves man has been in danger of becoming a forgotten man but now, as he puts everything into regaining full fitness following a hip operation, the 31-year-old insists he can still win back his place for club and country.

The physical part of his recovery is ongoing but Hunt admits the emotional blow of failing to get on the pitch in Poland this summer has also taken a long time to overcome.