Lewis McCann ready for Christmas Cheer
Wednesday, 21st Dec 2022Successful comeback in bounce match opens way for striker’s return
Pars striker Lewis McCann is set for a pre Christmas return in the match away day in Kelty. Lewis has been out since mid October when he sustained a nasty hamstring injury in the match against Clyde. On Tuesday he made a successful return to action in a closed doors friendly against Dundee United.
The recent wintry weather has come with its challenges but there was a bonus thrown in amongst all the turmoil revealed manager James McPake:-
“We have all experienced that at some point whether it be for weather or through covid when games were being put off. It is disappointing because we were hoping to play and hopefully continue the momentum of decent results and performances. You adapt to it, obviously the weather affected a lot of games across the country so we are understanding of that and we were lucky that Dundee United needed a game as well. So we went up and played them yesterday (Tuesday).
“It was a great exercise for everyone that was involved which was the full squad almost. Lewis McCann made a comeback playing 68 minutes and scored two goals. That is great for Lewis, he would have made the bench last Saturday against Airdrie but now he has put himself front and centre to be available to start. When you look at it that way, that game wouldn’t have come around. How long would he have got at Airdrie? We don’t know, so that is the benefit I suppose.”
The manager also gave an update on the recovery of both Kevin O’Hara and Paul Allan.
“Kevin should be doing multi directional stuff by Friday. He is at the very end of his rehab now and we have to make sure that he is okay with the knee. Touch wood it is. He has progressed great but we will take our time and like we did with Lewis, we probably could have had Lewis back ten days earlier than the Airdrie game which obviously was Saturday there. We could have had him back a bit earlier but as a staff and as a group we believe the important thing is getting him back and prolonging that.
“You cannot foresee what will happen going into the second half of a season with injuries. Lewis could pick up another injury but we wanted to make sure that we gave this one the best chance. We believe that we have done that and credit to him because he has come back in great condition. That isn’t a surprise because I know the way he works, I know his character and we are delighted to have him back because he is different to what we have got.
“Paul Allan’s progress is again good, he is now completely out of the boot. He is walking on the treadmill, he is doing ankle and foot strengthening- all the wee boring bits that are massively important. When you have done rehab you completely understand. Every day he is getting better and the difference with Paul is that it is a time thing, it is not when does it feel better. You have to give it a set amount of time for the bone to heal and everything to knit in place. When that happens he will be good to go but he is another one who is working really hard.”
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