Fit-again Wrexham star Aaron Hayden scored in derby win at Tranmere

AARON HAYDEN had to watch on from the sidelines as Wrexham clinched the National League title in style but the centre-half never lost belief and backed himself to come back fitter and stronger.

The 26-year-old sustained a calf injury in the 3-3 FA Cup fourth round draw with Sheffield United on January 29, ruling him out of action for the rest of the season.

Absent as Phil Parkinson’s men pipped Notts County to automatic promotion following a thrilling title race, Hayden also missed the Reds’ return to the Football League due to a groin problem.

But Hayden made his comeback in last Tuesday’s Carabao Cup second round tie against Bradford City, who won on a penalty shoot-out, and the defender also started Saturday’s League Two clash with Tranmere Rovers when he scored the only goal to clinch a derby victory.

It was tough going while recovering from injury but Hayden kept the faith.

“It has been challenging, I can’t lie,” he said.

“At the start of the season I picked up another little groin injury when I was really raring to go.

“But I am back now, I am ready and fit. It is about cracking on now.

“Nothing goes straight, it is always up and down. That is life. It is about how you deal with the downs and having the mental strength to come out on top.

“I always back myself, keep myself focussed, do my rehab and come back fitter and stronger.

“Some people in the world have got bigger problems than being injured.”

Hayden only missed one league game last season when he sustained the calf injury, scoring 11 goals in 26 outings.

He never played during the final three months of the campaign but clinching promotion to the Football League made up for being sat in the stands.

“It was tough for me but we achieved our collective goal which is more important than what I wanted to do,” added Hayden.

“We won the league and it is about getting out of this league now.

“You can’t dwell on the past, it is about t he future.”