GUISELEY striker Oli Johnson admits he was delighted to commit his future to the club for another season following the end of his injury nightmare.

Johnson was plagued by a hip problem which took longer than anticipated to diagnose and required him to undergo surgery.

The operation was a success and the 28-year-old returned to action in the last dozen games of the season, helping the Lions to safety with a famous last-day 4-3 win over Torquay at Nethermoor.

Johnson’s neat lob saw him open the scoring in that game and his return to fitness and form saw him rewarded with a new deal that keeps him with Mark Bower’s side for the 2016-17 campaign.

Johnson said: “The injury problems I had last season have been well documented and I only managed to come back for the last 12 games.

“I had a bit of an understanding that the club would look after me and possibly give me another year providing I came back at the end of the season, proved my fitness and contributed to the team one way or another, which I managed to do.

“I’m really grateful for that because they have helped me to get back to full fitness.

“I gave them my word that I would still be here given the opportunity.

“That was the understanding between the manager, the physio and myself.

“The club have been great with me because there were big question marks whether I would play again because of the injury.

“Thankfully it has all worked out well again and I’ve managed to get back fit and play a part in us staying up.”

Revealing the injury torment which raised fears over whether he would play again, Johnson added: “It was a hip problem and something I struggled with for a long time because it took so long to diagnose it.

“I was out for a lot longer than I should have been really because we weren’t able to pick up on it any earlier.

“The biggest thing was diagnosing it. The problem was in my hip but I was actually getting the pain in my hamstring.

“I ended up seeing one of the top specialists in the country for hips and groins and he picked it right away.

“Once I’d had the operation, it was a case of doing all my rehab and work in the gym and then hoping for the best.

“I managed to get back in decent time really and was eased into it to start with, coming off the bench to start with, and then managed to force myself into the starting line-up towards the end of the season.

“I managed to contribute and help us pick up a few points, which was really pleasing, and I was feeling fitter with every game I played.

“I recovered quite well and am feeling good. The operation wasn’t career threatening, it was more a case of getting the right diagnosis.”

Key men Rob Atkinson and Will Hatfield last week became the latest players to commit themselves to Guiseley for next season.

Johnson said: “Rob Atkinson and Will Hatfield are key men, so it’s always good to see such important players signing up for next season.

“It’s sad to see some of the lads go and I think they’re unlucky.

“It speaks volumes for the direction the club is going in when those calibre of players are being released.

“It bodes well in the sense that the quality of players coming in are going to be just as good, if not better.”