BRENNAN Dickenson has vowed to come back stronger after recovering from surgery to cure his serious knee injury.

The Colchester United winger suffered cruciate damage in training last month and is set to go under the knife today.

He faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines but is trying to stay positive and determined to come back and shine next season.

Dickenson, who was the subject of a rejected bid from Championship side Ipswich Town in January, was superb in his first season with the U's.

He scored a dozen goals and provided countless assists.

“I’ll be looking forward to coming back stronger next season," said the 24-year-old.

“It’s going to be a difficult time but I have to stay positive.

“When I came here last summer, my expectations were to play well and I think I’ve exceeded them.

“I’m pleased with the number of goals and assists.

“It was a very bittersweet feeling for me at the end of the season.

“I picked up the injury but was delighted to win the individual awards that I did (the player-of-the-year and players’ player-of-the-year awards and also the Hospital Radio player-of-the-year award).

“I’m very grateful for the awards and hopefully the the Hospital Radio listeners have enjoyed the season as much as we have.

“I have to stay positive and keep smiling.

“That’s me and that’s what I’m going to do.

“I’m going to have my down days but hopefully there’ll be more happy days.

“I’m just looking to get my head down and focus and come back stronger."

Dickenson is looking forward to getting the operation out of the way, so he can start the recovery process and begin the road back to fitness.

And he says the support of people around him, including his team-mates, will be crucial in terms of keeping his spirits high.

“It still seems so far away but I’m just ticking each day off as it comes and doing all of the right things," he said.

“As the time goes on after suffering the injury, it’s become slightly easier to accept what’s happened.

“After the operation, it’s going to be a tough time but I have all of the right people around me with my family and everyone at the club to dive in and do the right things and hopefully that will make it all slightly easier.

“The likes of Sam Walker and Drey Wright have been through it and I know players from other clubs who have been through it as well.

“They’ve all said to me that I can message when I want and ask as many questions as I need to and that’s a massive boost for me.

“It gives me that air of confidence with my recovery coming back fitter and stronger to have all of the boys around me.

“They’ve shown their support already so happy days."