GIVEN the luck he has had in the past two-and-a-half years, you could be forgiven for thinking Ben Currie has run over a few black cats.

The brightest young star to emerge at The Wire in recent memory, he had just crossed for his 22nd try of the 2016 season against Wigan when disaster first struck.

Just as he was getting back into the swing of things last year, the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee snapped again.

That was against Bradford in April and Currie has not pulled on the primrose and blue journey since.

He admits himself there were times he thought he never would.

“There’s always those doubts as to whether I could make it back,” he said in a remarkably honest and candid chat with the Guardian.

“With social media the way it is now, there were fans saying that stuff to me.

“People were saying similar things in the streets as well at a time when I needed my confidence lifting.

“I remember the game. We were playing Bradford at home.

“We were cruising and I’d already scored two tries. I was probably looking to come off at half-time to get a bit of a rest but it didn’t go that way.

“I knew straight away when it happened. I knew my season was over.

“I was in tears in the changing rooms and didn’t want to speak to anybody.

“It was hard and you go to some dark places in your head in recovery, but you just have to knuckle down.”

Warrington Guardian:

The last time Ben Currie was seen in a Warrington Wolves shirt - against Bradford in the Challenge Cup last April. Picture by Mike Boden

In between his two injuries, Currie had the honour of representing England at the Rugby League World Cup.

His inclusion in Wayne Bennett’s squad surprised many – himself included – but he ended up playing every game in England’s run to the final, where they were beaten by Australia.

However, since September 2016, Currie has played just 13 games for Warrington.

Still, he has found solace in support from teammates and players from rival clubs.

“Jack Johnson broke his leg and I wouldn’t wish that on anybody, but we’ve been through the same stages at the same time. We’ve been through it all together,” he said.

“There’s loads of players who have had double ACL injuries and I’ve spoken to a lot of them.

“People like Kylie Leuluai here and also guys from around Super League like Jonny Lomax, Kallum Watkins and Tommy Makinson.

“I got messages from them all when it went second time around just giving me tips and advice.”

Before he got injured, Currie was the next big thing in English rugby league.

Rumours of NRL clubs vying for his services would not go away and the rich new contract handed to him prior to the 2017 campaign which tied him to the club until 2022 was a big statement of intent from The Wire.

Wire fans are desperate to see Currie return as the lightning-quick, lethal edge runner they remember – and he thinks he is on the right track to do just that.

“When I think back to last time I came back, I probably wasn’t at 100 per cent in terms of the condition I was in,” he said.

“This time, I feel a lot fitter and faster.

“I’ve stripped a bit of weight off and I’m back to the levels I was at in 2016 before I got injured.

“Time will tell, but I’m hoping to come back bigger and better.

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“It doesn’t really get much worse than having two seasons out. Growing up, I think I only missed one game of academy through injury.

“The club have stuck by me and sent me to the best people to get myself right.

“When I come back, I don’t want to come back half the player.

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“I want to prove it was a good decision to stick by me and pay them back.”