After a gruelling journey through injury and rehabilitation, Adelaide United’s Izzy Hodgson is finally set to make her long-awaited return to the squad this Sunday when the Reds take on Melbourne City.
In an emotional new video, Hodgson recounts the harrowing moment of her foot injury and the challenging months that followed. The injury occurred during a WNPL match just before the start of Adelaide United pre-season—a devastating blow after months of preparation. Initially thinking someone had stepped on her foot, it was only after reviewing footage that she and her doctors realised there was no contact. The diagnosis? A Lisfranc ligament injury—a serious condition affecting the stability of the foot’s bones.
“I just knew straight away that it wasn’t good,” Hodgson recalls. “I left at halftime and went straight to the doctors.”
What followed was a whirlwind. Within days, Hodgson underwent surgery to repair the ligament, with a plate inserted to aid recovery. The process, however, was far from straightforward. The timeline for her return kept shifting, with expectations repeatedly extended as the injury proved more complex than initially thought.
“I kept being told I’d be back in a couple of months, then it was before Christmas, then after Christmas. It was just constant setbacks,” she explains.
The road back was not only physical but also deeply mental. Hodgson speaks candidly about the isolation of recovery, particularly during the early weeks when she was unable to train or even drive. Support from teammates, friends, and family—including visits from her best friend’s newborn twins—became crucial in keeping her spirits up.
“Some days, I’d feel like I was making progress, and the next day I couldn’t walk properly again. It was so frustrating,” she admits.
Despite the challenges, Hodgson remained a key figure off the field, maintaining her leadership role within the squad. While sidelined, she embraced a different perspective, mentoring younger players and supporting the team from the sidelines.
Now, after months of relentless rehabilitation, she’s ready to step back onto the field. Hodgson has trained with the team, built up her fitness, and regained confidence in her foot’s strength. While acknowledging there may still be an adjustment period, she’s eager to contribute on matchday once again.
“No matter how much training you do, nothing compares to playing a game,” she says. “I just want to be back out there with the team.”
This Sunday’s clash against Melbourne City marks not just another game but a significant milestone for Hodgson. After enduring one of the toughest challenges of her career, she’s ready to don the Reds’ jersey once again—determined to make up for lost time.
