C&K BASILDON Ladies’ Paige Wakefield says she has found a family at the club after they helped support her following a freak injury suffered on tour.

Wakefield, 21, joined Basildon at the end of last season from Women’s Super League side London Bees but, just as her pre-season was beginning this year, disaster struck.

On the club’s pre-season tour of Malta, Wakefield and the team were at the beach when she perforated her bowel and was ruled out for 14 weeks.

She returned to the club’s Development team last month and said she is so thankful for the support of her team-mates as she targets a first-team return.

“Even though I play for the Development side at the moment I train with the first team,” she said, following Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Charlton Athletic.

“I am close with them considering we haven’t played much together. They are more than friends, they are family.

“The injury was horrific and was so painful. I was ruled out for 14 weeks out and I am slowly working my way back to fitness.

“I have been playing with the Development team and we have come a long way since I first started playing for them against Queens Park Rangers five weeks ago.

“In that time we have really improved. (Manager) Steve (Tilson) was there when I had the accident and he has looked out for me and wants me to come back when I am ready.

“Physically I feel good considering I was out for so long. I am getting there but I am appreciating every minute.

“I am having another operation soon so I am just appreciating being able to play at the moment as the operation will rule me out for another eight weeks.”

It is not Wakefield who has overcome adversity in recent times, as the Development side was left without a goalkeeper following the departure of Ellie Bowman last month.

Striker Broghan Kelly stepped into the void and hasn’t look back, turning in a player-of-the-match display as she kept a clean sheet on Sunday.

“”Our goalkeeper decided it wasn’t for her after the QPR game and Broghan has stepped in and been brilliant,” she said.

“She took it in her stride against MK Dons and has been amazing ever since.

“I have no idea how she does it. She has been our little hero and this story should really be about her.”