Marlon Harewood is recovering from the badly bruised ankle
he suffered during extra-time in the FA Cup final against Liverpool
on Saturday, but admits the pain of our heart-breaking defeat at
the Millennium Stadium has yet to heal.
"It's got worse to be honest!" he says. "I was starting to get over it but then we came in on Monday for a team meeting and to receive our fitness programmes for the summer, and seeing the lads again brought back all the memories of Saturday.
"I still can't believe how it all turned out. We should never have lost that game and picking up the injury that prevented me from taking a penalty made it even worse.
"I've had a scan on the ankle which has thankfully revealed just serious bone bruising, so I'll just be getting a bit of treatment on it and resting over the next week or so in order for it to heal."
Marlon suffered the injury following a fierce and unpunished challenge by Liverpool midfielder Mohamed Sissoko, with just eight minutes remaining in the second period of extra-time.
Despite being barely able to walk, the powerful striker was forced to carry on with all three substitutes already on the pitch and, just seconds from the end of the game, was involved in the most remarkable of incidents, as Nigel Reo-Coker's header was tipped on to the post by Pepe Reina and bounced out to the six-yard box…straight to Marlon's injured left foot!
"I could hear the fans singing my name as I was on the side of the pitch, but I just felt so frustrated and angry that I couldn't run properly or help the lads out," he says.
"Then the ball falls to me, of all people, six yards out on my left foot in the dying seconds - I couldn't believe it! I just had to swing my boot at it, but I was in absolute agony and couldn't get the right contact on it.
"I've been trying to put it out of my mind, but it's impossible! I think it's one of those things you will never forget."
Just like the game itself. And while the immediate reaction may be one of sadness and disappointment at the failure to end our 26-year wait for a major domestic trophy, Marlon admits that the depression shouldn't be too severe given our performance in what has been described as the greatest FA Cup final ever - at the end of a memorable campaign all-round for West Ham United.
"It was a great final, and a great season, full stop," he says. "After winning promotion last year, we have given a good account of ourselves in the Premiership
"We won't go away depressed because we've done really well, and I'm sure the lads will all be looking forward to coming back for pre-season training and trying to go one better next year.
"We know that next season is going to be much harder - teams will be more aware of us and the expectation levels will be higher, but we've got European football to look forward to and that is great for the boys. There is plenty to be positive about and we will be stronger after Saturday's experience."
"It's got worse to be honest!" he says. "I was starting to get over it but then we came in on Monday for a team meeting and to receive our fitness programmes for the summer, and seeing the lads again brought back all the memories of Saturday.
"I still can't believe how it all turned out. We should never have lost that game and picking up the injury that prevented me from taking a penalty made it even worse.
"I've had a scan on the ankle which has thankfully revealed just serious bone bruising, so I'll just be getting a bit of treatment on it and resting over the next week or so in order for it to heal."
Marlon suffered the injury following a fierce and unpunished challenge by Liverpool midfielder Mohamed Sissoko, with just eight minutes remaining in the second period of extra-time.
Despite being barely able to walk, the powerful striker was forced to carry on with all three substitutes already on the pitch and, just seconds from the end of the game, was involved in the most remarkable of incidents, as Nigel Reo-Coker's header was tipped on to the post by Pepe Reina and bounced out to the six-yard box…straight to Marlon's injured left foot!
"I could hear the fans singing my name as I was on the side of the pitch, but I just felt so frustrated and angry that I couldn't run properly or help the lads out," he says.
"Then the ball falls to me, of all people, six yards out on my left foot in the dying seconds - I couldn't believe it! I just had to swing my boot at it, but I was in absolute agony and couldn't get the right contact on it.
"I've been trying to put it out of my mind, but it's impossible! I think it's one of those things you will never forget."
Just like the game itself. And while the immediate reaction may be one of sadness and disappointment at the failure to end our 26-year wait for a major domestic trophy, Marlon admits that the depression shouldn't be too severe given our performance in what has been described as the greatest FA Cup final ever - at the end of a memorable campaign all-round for West Ham United.
"It was a great final, and a great season, full stop," he says. "After winning promotion last year, we have given a good account of ourselves in the Premiership
"We won't go away depressed because we've done really well, and I'm sure the lads will all be looking forward to coming back for pre-season training and trying to go one better next year.
"We know that next season is going to be much harder - teams will be more aware of us and the expectation levels will be higher, but we've got European football to look forward to and that is great for the boys. There is plenty to be positive about and we will be stronger after Saturday's experience."