Barry Fuller made a surprise return for Gillingham on Saturday just weeks after recovering from a serious bout of pneumonia.

The Gills captain was hospitalised by the lung infection and needed assistance to breathe, but just six weeks later he was back in the starting line-up.

His appearance marked the end of a roller-coaster two months for the 24-year-old.

Back in December his sending off against Brentford meant he missed the FA Cup game against Aston Villa but little did he know the dramas that were to unfold.

“It all happened so quickly and it was mad really,” he said. “I had to get my head round the Villa one, that’s part and parcel of football.

“I had a baby on December 27 and then my missus went into hospital ill. She came out on the Monday and then I went in on Tuesday.

“My family was all over the place for a few weeks.”

The infection hit Fuller hard and he was facing the rest of the season on the sidelines.

“It was a bit scary to be honest,” he said. “I would say three or four words and then I’d have to go to sleep for three or four hours.

“I couldn’t breathe properly and my partner and my mum were really worried about me. That’s when I thought to myself that I could be out for a long time.

“I’m thankful to the club for sticking by me. The gaffer kept me informed of things and went by my pace. The club have been right behind me.”

Listen to Barry Fuller talking about his roller-coaster couple of months by clicking the link at the top of the page