Jordan Nobbs exudes positivity. The Arsenal and England midfielder has had a difficult year but has emerged from the experience as a stronger person. “I’m in a good place now,” she said. “The last few months have been about building my game time. I’m back to the full 90 minutes.”

Nobbs ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee during a Women’s Super League match against Everton last November, forcing her to miss the World Cup. A year on the 26-year-old is back playing international football. Tonight she will face the Czech Republic in Ceske Budejovice. Games like this – and England’s 2-1 defeat at Wembley on Saturday in front of 77,768 people – felt like a long way away 12 months ago.

“You take the injury in phases,” she said. “When you first have the surgery you feel like you are never going to be able to bend your knee again. You take each month as it comes. You realise that you have to strip back everything and concentrate on building your knee in the gym again. I was in the gym for four or five months before I stepped on a pitch.”

There were some bleak moments. “You have dark times,” she said. “Most players will agree that injury is the one of the most difficult psychological challenges in football. Some never recover and others have problems throughout their career but injury is always going to come your way. With the amount you train and the intensity of games you have to accept that.”

What was hard to accept was that such a long layoff occurred before the World Cup. Missing out on the tournament was a huge blow. “It was heartbreaking,” Nobbs said. “In the women’s game you’re not known as a top-class player unless you play in a major tournament. I want to be seen on the world stage as a top, top player. For the club I’ve shown my level but for my country I haven’t had that moment to put myself on the pedestal. It was disappointing but right now I’ve moved on from it and just have to focus on the future.”

Women's World Cup best pictures Show all 32 1 /32 Women's World Cup best pictures Women's World Cup best pictures Womens World Cup best pictures United States' forward Megan Rapinoe poses with the Golden Boot after the France 2019 Womens World Cup football final match between USA and the Netherlands, on July 7, 2019, at the Lyon Stadium in Lyon, central-eastern France. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images FRANCK FIFE AFP/Getty Images Women's World Cup best pictures Womens World Cup best pictures *** BESTPIX *** REIMS, FRANCE - JUNE 08: Players of Norway line up prior to the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group A match between Norway and Nigeria at Stade Auguste Delaune on June 08, 2019 in Reims, France. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) Robert Cianflone Getty Images Women's World Cup best pictures Womens World Cup best pictures TOPSHOT - French players celebrate their victory at the end of the France 2019 Women's World Cup Group A football match between France and South Korea, on June 7, 2019, at the Parc des Princes stadium, in Paris. (Photo by Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP)LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images LIONEL BONAVENTURE AFP/Getty Images Women's World Cup best pictures Womens World Cup best pictures NICE, FRANCE - JUNE 09: Lucy Bronze of England controls the ball during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group D match between England and Scotland at Stade de Nice on June 09, 2019 in Nice, France. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) ***BestPix*** Marc Atkins Getty Images Women's World Cup best pictures Womens World Cup best pictures TOPSHOT - Brazil's defender Kathellen Sousa Feitoza (L) vies with Jamaica's midfielder Cheyna Matthews during the France 2019 Women's World Cup Group C football match between Brazil and Jamaica on June 9, 2019, at the Alpes Stadium in Grenoble, central-eastern France. (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD / AFP) (Photo credit should read JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images) *** BESTPIX *** AFP Contributor#AFP AFP/Getty Images Women's World Cup best pictures Womens World Cup best pictures ***BESTPIX*** LE HAVRE, FRANCE - JUNE 10: Shanice van de Sanden runs during a Netherlands training session during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France at Stade Jules Ladoumegue on June 10, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images) Alex Grimm Getty Images Women's World Cup best pictures Womens World Cup best pictures ***BESTPIX*** PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 10: General view inside the stadium during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group D match between Argentina and Japan at Parc des Princes on June 10, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) Richard Heathcote Getty Images Women's World Cup best pictures Womens World Cup best pictures *** BESTPIX *** REIMS, FRANCE - JUNE 11: Alex Morgan of the USA celebrates after scoring her team's first goal during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between USA and Thailand at Stade Auguste Delaune on June 11, 2019 in Reims, France. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) Robert Cianflone Getty Images Women's World Cup best pictures Womens World Cup best pictures RENNES, FRANCE - JUNE 11: Sofia Jakobsson of Sweden is challenged by Javiera Toro of Chile during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Chile and Sweden at Roazhon Park on June 11, 2019 in Rennes, France. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) ***BESTPIX*** Richard Heathcote Getty Images Women's World Cup best pictures Womens World Cup best pictures REIMS, FRANCE - JUNE 11: Rose Lavelle of the USA celebrates with teammates after scoring her team's seventh goal during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between USA and Thailand at Stade Auguste Delaune on June 11, 2019 in Reims, France. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) ***BESTPIX*** Robert Cianflone Getty Images Women's World Cup best pictures Womens World Cup best pictures TOPSHOT - (LtoR) Fifa president Gianni Infantino, French president Emmanuel Macron and French first lady Brigitte Macron applaud ahead of France 2019 Women's World Cup Group A football match between France and South Korea, on June 7, 2019, at the Parc des Princes stadium, in Paris. (Photo by FRANCOIS XAVIER MARIT / AFP)FRANCOIS XAVIER MARIT/AFP/Getty Images FRANCOIS XAVIER MARIT AFP/Getty Images Women's World Cup best pictures Womens World Cup best pictures TOPSHOT - France's forward Eugenie Le Sommer celebrates after scoring a goal during the France 2019 Women's World Cup Group A football match between France and South Korea, on June 7, 2019, at the Parc des Princes stadium, in Paris. (Photo by FRANCOIS XAVIER MARIT / AFP)FRANCOIS XAVIER MARIT/AFP/Getty Images FRANCOIS XAVIER MARIT AFP/Getty Images Women's World Cup best pictures Womens World Cup best pictures TOPSHOT - Germany's players celebrate after winning the France 2019 Women's World Cup Group B football match between Germany and China, on June 8, 2019, at the Roazhon Park stadium in Rennes, western France. (Photo by LOIC VENANCE / AFP)LOIC VENANCE/AFP/Getty Images LOIC VENANCE AFP/Getty Images Women's World Cup best pictures Womens World Cup best pictures TOPSHOT - South Africa's forward Thembi Kgatlana celebrates after scoring a goal during the France 2019 Women's World Cup Group B football match between Spain and South Africa, on June 8, 2019, at the Oceane Stadium in Le Havre, northwestern France. (Photo by Damien MEYER / AFP)DAMIEN MEYER/AFP/Getty Images DAMIEN MEYER AFP/Getty Images Women's World Cup best pictures Womens World Cup best pictures TOPSHOT - A Norwegian supporter poses ahead of the 2019 Women's World Cup Group A football match between Norway and Nigeria, on June 8, 2019, at the Auguste-Delaune Stadium in Reims, eastern France. (Photo by Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP)LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images LIONEL BONAVENTURE AFP/Getty Images Women's World Cup best pictures Womens World Cup best pictures TOPSHOT - Italy's forward Daniela Sabatino reacts after her goal was disallowed during the France 2019 Women's World Cup Group C football match between Australia and Italy, on June 9, 2019, at the Hainaut Stadium in Valenciennes, northern France. (Photo by FRANCOIS LO PRESTI / AFP)FRANCOIS LO PRESTI/AFP/Getty Images FRANCOIS LO PRESTI AFP/Getty Images Women's World Cup best pictures Womens World Cup best pictures TOPSHOT - England's forward Nikita Parris celebrates after scoring a goal during the France 2019 Women's World Cup Group D football match between England and Scotland, on June 9, 2019, at the Nice Stadium in Nice, southeastern France. (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP)VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images VALERY HACHE AFP/Getty Images Women's World Cup best pictures Womens World Cup best pictures TOPSHOT - England's coach Phil Neville (C) speaks to his players after they won the France 2019 Women's World Cup Group D football match between England and Scotland, on June 9, 2019, at the Nice Stadium in Nice, southeastern France. (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP)VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images VALERY HACHE AFP/Getty Images Women's World Cup best pictures Womens World Cup best pictures TOPSHOT - Brazil's forward Cristiane (2ndR) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal during the France 2019 Women's World Cup Group C football match between Brazil and Jamaica on June 9, 2019, at the Alpes Stadium in Grenoble, central-eastern France. (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD / AFP)JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images JEFF PACHOUD AFP/Getty Images Women's World Cup best pictures Womens World Cup best pictures TOPSHOT - Supporters pose ahead of the France 2019 Women's World Cup Group D football match between Argentina and Japan, on June 10, 2019, at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. (Photo by Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP)LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images LIONEL BONAVENTURE AFP/Getty Images Women's World Cup best pictures Womens World Cup best pictures TOPSHOT - A supporter poses ahead of the France 2019 Women's World Cup Group D football match between Argentina and Japan, on June 10, 2019, at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. (Photo by Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP)LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images LIONEL BONAVENTURE AFP/Getty Images Women's World Cup best pictures Womens World Cup best pictures TOPSHOT - Argentina's defender Agustina Barroso (R) celebrates with Argentina's defender Aldana Cometti at the end of the France 2019 Women's World Cup Group D football match between Argentina and Japan, on June 10, 2019, at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. (Photo by Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD / AFP)KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP/Getty Images KENZO TRIBOUILLARD AFP/Getty Images Women's World Cup best pictures Womens World Cup best pictures TOPSHOT - Canada's defender Kadeisha Buchanan (C) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal during the France 2019 Women's World Cup Group E football match between Canada and Cameroon, on June 10, 2019, at the Mosson Stadium in Montpellier, southern France. (Photo by Pascal GUYOT / AFP)PASCAL GUYOT/AFP/Getty Images PASCAL GUYOT AFP/Getty Images Women's World Cup best pictures Womens World Cup best pictures TOPSHOT - Canadian players celebrate at the end of the France 2019 Women's World Cup Group E football match between Canada and Cameroon, on June 10, 2019, at the Mosson Stadium in Montpellier, southern France. (Photo by Pascal GUYOT / AFP)PASCAL GUYOT/AFP/Getty Images PASCAL GUYOT AFP/Getty Images Women's World Cup best pictures Womens World Cup best pictures TOPSHOT - Sweden's forward Madelen Janogy (2ndR) is congratulated by teammates at the end of the France 2019 Women's World Cup Group F football match between Chile and Sweden, on June 11, 2019, at the Roazhon Park stadium in Rennes, western France. (Photo by Damien MEYER / AFP)DAMIEN MEYER/AFP/Getty Images DAMIEN MEYER AFP/Getty Images Women's World Cup best pictures Womens World Cup best pictures TOPSHOT - Thailand's players react after losing the France 2019 Women's World Cup Group F football match between USA and Thailand, on June 11, 2019, at the Auguste-Delaune Stadium in Reims, eastern France. (Photo by THOMAS SAMSON / AFP)THOMAS SAMSON/AFP/Getty Images THOMAS SAMSON AFP/Getty Images Women's World Cup best pictures Womens World Cup best pictures TOPSHOT - USA's players celebrate a goal during the France 2019 Women's World Cup Group F football match between USA and Thailand, on June 11, 2019, at the Auguste-Delaune Stadium in Reims, eastern France. (Photo by Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP)LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images LIONEL BONAVENTURE AFP/Getty Images Women's World Cup best pictures Womens World Cup best pictures TOPSHOT - United States' forward Alex Morgan (2R) and United States' forward Megan Rapinoe (R) celebrate a goal during the France 2019 Women's World Cup Group F football match between USA and Thailand, on June 11, 2019, at the Auguste-Delaune Stadium in Reims, eastern France. (Photo by Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP)LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images LIONEL BONAVENTURE AFP/Getty Images Women's World Cup best pictures Womens World Cup best pictures TOPSHOT - Netherlands' midfielder Jill Roord (C) celebrates after scoring a goal during the France 2019 Women's World Cup Group E football match between New Zealand and the Netherlands, on June 11, 2019, at the Oceane Stadium in Le Havre, northwestern France. (Photo by LOIC VENANCE / AFP)LOIC VENANCE/AFP/Getty Images LOIC VENANCE AFP/Getty Images Women's World Cup best pictures Womens World Cup best pictures TOPSHOT - United States' forward Megan Rapinoe (L) celebrates with supporters after winning the France 2019 Women's World Cup Group F football match between USA and Thailand, on June 11, 2019, at the Auguste-Delaune Stadium in Reims, eastern France. (Photo by Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP)LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images LIONEL BONAVENTURE AFP/Getty Images Women's World Cup best pictures Womens World Cup best pictures TOPSHOT - United States' forward Alex Morgan (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring a second goal during the France 2019 Women's World Cup Group F football match between USA and Thailand, on June 11, 2019, at the Auguste-Delaune Stadium in Reims, eastern France. (Photo by Thomas SAMSON / AFP)THOMAS SAMSON/AFP/Getty Images THOMAS SAMSON AFP/Getty Images Women's World Cup best pictures Womens World Cup best pictures Australia celebrate beating Brazil in their Group C tie Getty

With every setback comes opportunity and Nobbs was given the chance to cover the World Cup as a pundit for the BBC. She relished the role. “It was bittersweet,” she admits. “But it was an opportunity that doesn’t come along very often. I had to grab it with both hands. It was a chance for me to learn something new within the game and hopefully for the future. It was a chance to do something in front of millions of people and still play a part in the World Cup.”

There will be other tournaments with England in the future and Nobbs back close to her best. Does the injury prey on her mind? “No,” she said. “Throughout the process of recovering from the injury you go through certain drills and movement patterns that allow you to build your confidence to a high level. If you want to be a top footballer you have to move on from the injury. It’s very difficult but it’s something you’ve got to do if you want to be back on that pitch.”

Football is in the Nobbs family blood. Her father, Keith, made more than 250 appearances for Hartlepool United and the former defender guided his daughter in making the right career choices. “Dad inspired me,” she said. “He was a professional footballer. He had a ball at our feet every second of the day. When I was playing seven-a-side, he took me out of the team to play 11-a-side. When I was going to Middlesbrough, he took me to Sunderland because they had better players. When you’re young you need the right person directing you to progress as a player and he definitely did that. Football wasn’t something I watched massively as a kid but I’d be outside playing it 24/7.”

Nobbs is an all-action midfielder so it is no surprise to find that the player she looked up to as a child was one of England’s finest exponents in the position. “Steven Gerrard was my icon,” she said. But it was more than his skill on the pitch that appealed to the youngster. “It wasn’t just his football, it was his passion,” she continued. “I’m very big on that. It’s the same at Arsenal. I don’t think you should come to a club like that and not be passionate about wearing that badge. That’s what he did as a player. He showed how much he wanted to win and the love for his club. He was a player I idolised as a kid.

“I’d like to think when I finish my career people will respect what I did at Arsenal and the loyalty and love I showed.”

The next generation of girls will have players like Nobbs to idolise. The women’s game is making massive strides and the England star is delighted to be playing a part in the expansion. “We’ve been able to create a platform that allows young girls to get into football from an early age,” she said. “Now there are lifestyle and job opportunities available. You can fulfil your dreams doing something you want to do. If young girls want to play they should get involved and hopefully they’ll be playing for England one day.”

Cementing a place in the national team is very much on Nobbs’ mind. “I’m not looking too far ahead,” she said. “I just want to keep performing at a very high level and be on the team sheet each week for Arsenal as much as I can. I want to be in Phil Neville’s thoughts for the Olympics. That’s my goal. Right now I have to take each week as it comes and look after my body.”

Nobbs is living proof that it is possible to bounce back. What advice would she offer others undergoing the tortuous process of rehabilitation or similarly tough times? “Accept what’s happened and accept your emotions,” she said. “It’s OK to be angry some days, to cry – even to the extent that you go to the gym and say, ‘I just need to go home and refresh my mind.’

Jordan Nobbs has set her sights on the Olympics with England (Getty)

“Allow those emotions but you have to recover and look after yourself in the long term. Never mind just football, but afterwards. Stick with the process, believe in yourself and know that you’re strong enough to get through it.”

No one could ever doubt Nobbs’ strength. She is back and aims to be better than ever.