Former Bayern Munich and Real Madrid winger Arjen Robben has set his sights on returning to football after his latest injury setback.
Robben, 36, has been unable to play for Eredivisie side FC Groningen since suffering a hamstring injury against PSV Eindhoven in September.
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"I just truly hope to return on the pitch again and I will give it all trying," Robben told FOX Sports Netherlands. "I could have said that I would try until the winter break to return but now I am in the middle of rehabilitation and the final steps of that are always hardest. When I return to the training pitch again soon we will see it from there.
"I have had a lot of setbacks. I knew it would be a big task and a big challenge, I've said so from the start."
Robben has only played 44 minutes this season, and admitted that he considered quitting following his latest injury.
"Honestly, the energy was gone the last few weeks. And of course it went through my head to quit. But somewhere is that athlete in me and a little voice in my head that stops me from quitting," he said.
"My career is over, it is a wrap. This year is a bonus already and if it will work out in 2021 it would be great but I know I have things against me. I have been out for a year, am not the youngest anymore and I have that history of injuries. Those are all not quite an advantage but I just wanted to do this so badly for the club."
Earlier this year Robben announced that he had reversed his decision to retire after taking a year out from football, and would sign for boyhood club Groningen -- where he started his career in 2000.
In a preseason friendly against Arminia Bielefeld the winger scored in his first home appearance since his return to the club, but hasn't scored since.
Groningen are fifth in the Eredivise table, seven points off league leaders Ajax.
