By Stephen Eighteen
April 16 2004

It was ironic that the latest in a long list of setbacks to afflict Mark McCammon was one where he blacked out for five minutes. Thankfully, he's back in action now. Because in a season full of memories that nobody connected with Millwall will ever forget, one of the forgotten men of 2003/04 once again found himself out of the side just as supporters were being reminded of who he was and what he could do.

Less than half-an-hour into McCammon’s first start in ten months having finally shaken off a rare knee joint bruising injury, the big striker was knocked out in a clash of heads with Ipswich centre back Drissa Diallo that saw both men leave the pitch.

From a health perspective, both players were fortunate to not suffer any long-term damage, but on the playing side, the misery looked as if it would never end for McCammon.

But the 25-year-old has become too tough from a number of injuries, including a year lost through an ankle injury as a teenager, to let a bang on the head get him down.

McCammon told Southwark News: “It was a hell of a blow on the back of the head and I woke up in the changing room having been out for a good five minutes.

“They said I had to be out for ten days for concussion and I did various tests to make sure I was okay. I missed West Ham, Tranmere and the semi-final and it was a bit of a down point.

“When I got a chance it seemed I was back to square one, but hopefully from now on none of these injuries will occur.

“That’s football, and some people suffer worse than that, and I have got to appreciate that I’ve got a chance to play in an FA Cup Final that would be a fantastic achievement.

“I didn’t worry about it because I believe in myself. If I train hard I can get the rewards.”

Though he missed some of the biggest games in Millwall’s history, McCammon’s first reward was a place alongside Danny Dichio in the starting line-up against West Brom on Monday.

Given that the pair are both target men, it was a confidence boost for McCammon.

“Dennis Wise wanted to match them up at the back because Darren Moore and Thomas Gaardsoe were big and he wanted us to give them a physical battle, and I felt that me and Danny Dichio won the battle.

“I was pleased with the partnership. Normally a partnership takes a while to gel but I thought we played well together.

“The atmosphere was great after being out for so long. It was quite a difficult game to come into after being out for such a long while. You have to give yourself two or three games and I think I did quite well.”

Throughout his injury ordeal, McCammon was touched by the kindness of his teammates.

“The togetherness was great. The players were really good in that they always asked me how I was, and it made me feel less let down.”