A record 50-point defeat to South Sydney might have been Parramatta's lowest point of a desperate NRL season, but for Justin Poore, just being able to run onto the field was a moment he won't forget.

Having battled a serious knee problem that troubled him for most of last year and was expected to rule him out for this season, the former NSW prop had feared his career was over.

Poore underwent two complex operations after experiencing excruciating pain after matches, leaving him barely able to walk, due to erosion of his cartilage.

But after contemplating having to return to his former job as a plumber, Poore said being named on the bench to face Souths on Monday was one of the highlights of his career - despite the 56-6 scoreline.

"I was really happy to get through it and it got rid of a lot of demons in my head and, obviously, apart from the score, I took a lot of positives out of it," Poore told AAP.

"It's been the hardest 12 months of my life. I thought at stages I was going to have to chuck the towel in.

"I was pretty distraught some days, but the commitment and support I've had from the club has been unreal."

Poore credits Parramatta physio Vicki Locke for her tireless work in getting him back onto the field.

"The only reason I'm playing again is down to Vicki. She's been unbelievable," he said.

"The coach threw me in at the deep end which is something I am very grateful for. You never know how you'll go until you're in a match situation, and I pulled up good.

"I woke up before the game feeling really nervous, something I haven't really experienced for a long time, but now I just want to see out the season and be ready for next year."

Poore admits his situation affected him emotionally, and he had to lean heavily on the support of his family.

"The operation was really complicated," he said.

"It was all about how I was going to heal and if I could come back and even run again.

"It was a bit of a torturous time. I was pretty lucky. My friends and family really helped me get through it.

"There were some dark days, especially when I had the surgery and then had to get it re-done. I was asking myself could I ever play footy again?

"It's pretty scary when you have played footy for so long and feel you still have so much to offer that you may not be able to do it any more."

Despite the low moments, Poore said the ordeal had given him a new appreciation of life.

"I feel very blessed I can play again ... I am a plumber so I got the chance to get my hours up when I was out of footy and that makes you realise what a good life we have," he said.

"I also met a young kid in hospital called Tom and he's got cancer.

"He helped me put life into perspective. Here I am whingeing, but I can walk, I can breathe and I'm healthy.

"It gave me some very good reminders of how lucky I was ... so it is hard to get too down about things like footy."

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