Tharme 'letting go of negatives' after injuries

Grimsby defender Doug Tharme says he has had to "allow the hurt to happen" after making his return from eight months out with hamstring injuries.

The 27-year-old suffered a season-ending injury in January and then injured his other hamstring in a pre-season friendly.

He made his first appearance of the season in Tuesday's Jersey Mike's Trophy defeat at Notts County.

"It was really tough, it knocked me back quite a bit, especially because the expectation I had for myself was quite high to come in and contribute and compete," he told BBC Radio Humberside.

"It would be a lie if I said I was ok for the week. I didn't go away with the lads to Slovenia (pre-season trip) and that's quite a tough place to be.

"Fortunately, I've got a wife I couldn't be more grateful for and my mum, my brother and my friends.

"It's that perspective of 'right OK, it's happened so don't pretend to be OK'. Allow the hurt to happen because the sooner you can deal with that the sooner you can try to put your best foot forward.

"I think if you choose to neglect the initial disappointment then it can come back to haunt you afterwards.

"I've had good advice from people. Football is a short career. If you hold on to the negatives you're not really going to enjoy it and then by the time you retire you don't remember the positives."

Tharme said it was "nice to feel part of the team again" after captaining the Mariners in Tuesday's 2-1 defeat by the League One side.

Dave Artell's side, who travel to Newport on Saturday, are third in League One after three wins and four draws in their opening seven games.