For any athlete, a major injury is a brutal test of both body and mind. Crewe Alexandra striker Shilow Tracey knows this all too well, having recently returned from a year-long absence due to a broken leg. The 27-year-old has now revealed the mental battle he faced, admitting he had genuine doubts about whether he would ever play professional football again.

Tracey marked his long-awaited comeback with an 84th-minute substitute appearance in Crewe's 3-2 defeat at Grimsby Town this past weekend. It was his first taste of competitive action since March 2025. "I'm buzzing to be back. It's been a long time," he told BBC Radio Stoke. "I had a few doubts along the way... when I found out I had to get a second op, I was a bit doubtful."

The road to recovery was far from straightforward, requiring two operations. Tracey credits the support system around him—from the medical staff to fellow injured teammates Joel Tabiner and Jack Lankester—for keeping his spirits high during the lonely hours of rehabilitation. "It's hard when you're by yourself in a treatment room," he said, highlighting the importance of camaraderie and shared motivation during the toughest phases.

Now, with his fitness returning, Tracey's focus shifts to contributing during a crucial period for the Alex. Crewe remains in the League Two play-off hunt, sitting just three points outside the top seven. Tracey will look to build match sharpness in the final games against MK Dons, Chesterfield, and his former club Cambridge United.

His journey is a powerful reminder of the resilience required in sport. After nine goals in 77 appearances for Crewe, Tracey is now driven to make up for lost time, fueled by gratitude and a renewed perspective. "I've been praying a lot to get to this moment," he said. "I'm just glad to be back out there."