The former Coventry City star bravely fought his way back into first-team contention for the start of the season before he was again forced out of action in August with a groin injury whilst on international duty for David Platt's England under-21 side.
Such a series of injury problems has, admits the giant keeper, been very hard to recover from for a player ready to embark upon a sparkling career for both his club and country in years to come.
Kirkland said: "The last few months have been very hard. I had a good pre-season after coming back from injury and then I picked up a groin strain playing at Goodison Park for the England Under-21s.
"I was only warning up and I was injured. I was feeling really down after that. It may sound funny, but the three weeks I was out felt as long as the six months I had earlier. There is nothing worse than working your way back and getting another injury."