Josh Dixon has spoken of his burning desire to make it third time lucky on the fitness front – and repay the faith of everyone who has helped him.

The Carlisle United midfielder is battling his way back from a third cruciate knee ligament injury.

The injury, suffered in a reserve game last season, leaves Dixon back on the long road to recovery, with the 21-year-old targeting a return around next February/March.

His cruel luck has denied him the chance to play his part in Paul Simpson’s squad, as United prepare to face Bolton Wanderers in their latest friendly at Brunton Park tomorrow (kick-off 3pm).

But Dixon says he has lost none of his determination to come back and make the most of his promising career.

“It’s not just for me, it’s wanting to prove to my family as well, and the managers who’ve put faith in me, given me contracts,” said Carlisle-born Dixon.

“I just want to go back out on the pitch and repay them.”

Dixon underwent surgery seven weeks ago and is now off crutches as he steps up his rehabilitation work in the gym.

READ MORE: Carlisle United's Gavin Skelton says players can make their case ahead of Bolton Wanderers friendly

It followed the injury he suffered against Morecambe’s second-string in April.

He admitted it was tough to be told the news that he was facing the third long lay-off of his young career.

But Dixon says he has the positive mindset – and support from his family and colleagues at United – to get through it.

“It’s been a bit unfair on me, three times now, but as soon as it happens you just have to get on with it,” he said.

“There’s no other way of dealing with it. I’ve got a really supportive family and friends that have made it easier.

“It wasn’t as painful as the other times but when I went down and it stiffened up, I sort of knew.

“The few days of waiting after my scan was horrible, and actually finding out I’d done it again…at first it doesn’t really sink in. It’s weeks after, when you realise how long the actual process is, [that it does].

“When Ross [Goodwin, United’s physio] rang me [about the results] I wanted to ring him back and ask him, ‘Are you sure?’

“But I’ve just got on with it. I’m doing well so far and Ross is happy with me at the minute.”

Dixon is no stranger to the rehabilitation process and says he can learn things from his previous experiences of the injury.

“In the first and second times, there might have been certain things I wasn’t hitting in terms of targets, or requiring other stuff like help with surgery,” he said.

“I remember with my first one I couldn’t get [the leg] fully straight, so I needed to go for another small operation. Things like that – this time I know I have to get my leg straight; even though it doesn’t want to go straight I have to do all the work I possibly can to make it better.

“Setting little targets is the main thing, just because it’s such a lengthy time out. It’s like every six weeks, just upping it slightly and slightly, and then I’ll be out running again, and that’s when I can really start kicking on.”

Dixon admits it is frustrating to watch his team-mates training and playing ahead of a new season and not being able to join in.

But he said his fellow players have been constantly supportive – as has manager Simpson.

“I had a few weeks with him when I was just getting back into fitness last season, and he said I was doing well. As soon as I got my injury he was always asking how it was, and when he found out about [how serious it was] he was just as gutted as I was.

“He’s been spot on with me, asking me questions every day, and saying that if I need any support just to go to him or Gav. He’s been nothing but nice with me.

“Every single one of the players are always checking up on me too, asking how I’m doing. The lads couldn’t have been better.

“I think the surgeon and Ross are looking at February-March time for me coming back, which doesn’t sound great at the minute, but I’m seven weeks now and these have flew in. You have to take it day by day.”

It was a rewarding experience when Dixon made his first-team debut in the 2020/21 season having come through a similar fitness battle.

He added: “It’s a thought to hold onto when I’m doing all my rehab and work in the gym. If I do get that opportunity again it will make it all worth it and it will mean a lot to me.

“When I’m watching games, I can’t just enjoy it – I’ve got to look at people in my position, so that when I come back how I can play, I can implement certain things into my game.

“It is difficult but I’m just the sort of person where it doesn’t really bother me. Every day is a new day and I just take positives out of each little thing.”