But he is determined to bounce back in a positive fashion.
Richard damaged his cruciate ligament in the winter while on a season long loan spell at Leyton Orient.
There are no winners from a situation that saw the O's lose a talent that was sparkling for them, Harry not get the chance to keep an eye on one of his youngsters playing tough, competitive football, and most of all the player himself, robbed of the chance to continue his progression up the ladder.
The only bonus was that he got to get some sunshine in Australia while recuperating from the operation!
He is now back in Blighty, however, and says:
"I've just started running, and the operation went according to plan - the surgeon was very pleased.
"Now John Green is putting me through his paces, and I'm looking to get back in september.
"I suppose Orient must still be paying my wages and it would have been a good experience to carry on playing for them after, I think, around 20 games for them."
The young forward, who is out of contract this summer, was certainly getting the plaudits in Leyton Orient colours, and he hasn't ruled out a return to them.
"I'm sure if Tommy Taylor and Harry organize something I'll be happy to go back.
"First, I'll have to see what the gaffer's plans are and hopefully i can get back to playing how I was and better.
"I'm obviously hoping for a new contract.
"There are moments when I've been down in the dumps and it does try your patience, but you just have to get on with it.
"It's all up to the gaffer; if I had continued playing at Orient it might have pushed me on a bit.
"I'm trying to follow Jermain Defoe's footsteps: he has certainly done well for himself."
He admits that he had to learn a lot of new names when he returned after his enforced sabbatical, saying:
"I thought I was at the wrong place! But the new faces make the squad stronger