By James Barrett

Ex-Carshalton Athletic defender David Ray has not played a full game since the start of this season but, as he comes back revitalised at a new club, he is hoping his old side can beat the drop.

Ray started the season as the Robins’ captain, but a knee injury in the first game at Bury Town kept him on the sidelines for five months.

However, following an intense rehabilitation programme, he is “back to full fitness and raring to go”.

He said: “My injury was similar to the one Owen Hargreaves suffered.

“I was told it could potentially threaten my career and, at 27, that was a real eye-opener.

“I used that shock to spur me on to recovery rather than focus on any negative implications.”

An initial diagnosis gave Ray a three-month lay-off but a set of injections prolonged the process by another four weeks.

He said: “I couldn’t exercise for the month I had those injections, otherwise I wouldn’t have felt the benefit. I hit the gym about eight times a week once the leash was off – I certainly made up for lost time.”

During his spell out, Ray was part of the cost-cutting measures that led to several senior players departing Colston Avenue last October.

“I’m disappointed to see my old club fighting relegation but manager Tommy Williams walked into one of the hardest jobs in football at that moment,” he said.

“I still speak to some of my old team-mates and I know they are all desperate to keep the club up. They just need a little bit of luck to go with it.”

Ray rejoined Blue Square South outfit Basingstoke in February, a club he played at for six years after being released by Crystal Palace aged 16.

He said: “I had a few offers but, alongside it being a step up for me, I respect the club and the manager.”