Running Back to Fitness
Sunday, 12th Dec 2010Jack Ross and Greg Paterson start the road to recovery at East End Park
On Saturday the cleared pitch provided the first steps back to fitness for injured duo Jack Ross and Greg Paterson. They used the area between the two six yard boxes as they made a start to their recoveries.
Greg is working his way back from surgery on the right leg he broke back in March.
"I have just done my first set of what I'd call little runs just to get confidence to get my foot planted on the ground again. I am still a wee bit away but it is a step forward. I tried to run a wee while ago on the beach but it was causing all sorts of pains and that was why I had to go back and get the plate put in. I am not getting that pain anymore so it feels quite good."
After the first surgery in March Greg's fibula did not heal properly. Further surgery was required on 2nd November and this time around Greg is setting no targets:-
"I was told to leave it a month before I started running on it again. In the meantime I have just been doing my rehab and trying to strengthen up my calf and thigh. But that's me started, I will probably do the same again on Monday and Gerry Docherty has suggested I try it again on the beach since its a bit softer."
Jack Ross incurred cartilage damage to his right knee and following surgery six weeks ago at the Nuffield Hospital in Glasgow is now at a similar stage to Greg in that he only started running on Saturday. Since his is a far less serious injury than Greg's he hopes to progress quicker from this stage.
"I am hoping to spend two to three weeks with physio Gerry Docherty and all being well hopefully I will be able to join in with the rest of the lads again. That will take me until just past Christmas but I'd hope to be ready to start full training again then. Everything has gone as well as could be in terms of the recovery from the injury. Hopefully I will be back sooner rather than later."
Jack has not had any setbacks in his recovery and hopefully that remains the case. He is hugely frustrated that he has yet to make his debut for Dunfermline:-
"It is not a nice feeling, you feel it a bit that I have come and sustained the injury so quickly. The lads have made me more than welcome so I have felt comfortable from that point of view obviously. It is hard to feel properly a part until you contribute on the park but I am feeling as much a part of things without playing. I certainly look forward to making a contribution soon."
Jack Ross has witnessed the set ups at various clubs but says he has been pleasantly surprised by what Dunfermline has by way of facilities at Pitreavie:-
"I think it is beneficial. I have been down south, at Falkirk and latterly St Mirren they had their own training base but at my first season at St Mirren they were still building that so we were here there and everywhere."
The players at Dunfermline have impressed the new boy with their desire and ambition to reach the Premierleague.
"It is quite tangible when you come in; some guys have experienced it before but there are a number of players who want to get there and in my opinion they could deservedly grace that league. When you see how good the players are and how hard they work at training it is easier to come in and fit into it."
Manager Jim McIntyre has made an impact on Jack as well:-
"From the coaching side of things I had seen him in action without working under him. I knew what kind of character he was and that made it easy for me to decide to come here. He is part of a batch of up and coming new managers who have just recently made the transition from playing to managing and arguably he probably could still play.
"If he gets us to the Premierleague it will only make his stock rise higher again. I knew his capabilities and I certainly have not been let down since I came in. I have watched every game since I arrived here and I can see how good a team he has built."
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