Stephen O'Halloran has vowed to bounce back from what he admits has been 'a wasted year' as he bids to force his way into Martin O'Neill's plans.

The Republic of Ireland international ended the season on the casualty list after sustaining cruciate ligament damage at the start of a loan spell with Leeds in March.

 It was the final blow in a disappointing campaign for the 20-year-old but O'Halloran refuses to be downbeat.

He told www.avfc.co.uk: "I've got a lot of hard work ahead of me throughout the summer but I'm not on my own and I'll just get on with it.

"Curtis Davies and Jonathan Hogg are also coming back from long term injuries and so we're bouncing off each other - which is helpful.

"This season was a bit of a letdown for me. I went on the pre-season tour to Canada and America and my aim was to force my way into the first-team squad.

"That didn't happen and I had a couple of disappointing loan spells - I didn't play at Southampton and I got injured before I could kick a ball with Leeds."

O'Halloran continued: "I know that these things happen to you in your career and I have to stay strong and determined. I'm still young and I've got years ahead of me.

"It can get you down coming in just to work in the gym or in the pool each day but I have a target and when I am back in action I'm determined to make up for lost time."