Dunfermline striker Graham Bayne is set to go ‘under the knife’ as his recovery from injury has had yet another setback.
The former Inverness Caley and Ross County forward has been recovering from a foot injury since December, but he told Courier Sport that his season is over.
He will now be working on building up his fitness during the summer holidays.
“My recovery broke down again last weekend so I’ll be getting an operation on my foot and will be out for six weeks,” he said.
“We had tried to build it up again on the bike, the cross-trainer and running on the base of the toe, which was less weight bearing but it became painful.
“So the club phoned the surgeon today and I will be operated on next Thursday.”
Bayne said that he had also been swimming as part of his recovery and explained how frustrating it has been sitting on the sidelines.
“I thought it was fine and I was kind of harbouring thoughts of doing some training towards the end of the season and even a spot on the bench,” he added.
“It’s disappointing to go back to square one. However, the recovery time is quite good.
“It should be six weeks. The operation is not 100% proof but you have to have your fingers crossed.
“I’ll basically be training all through the summer holidays. That won’t disrupt my holiday plans because you don’t get them with two small kids,” he laughed.
“Hopefully I’ll get a head start by doing that and keep myself ticking over before the pre-season. It wasn’t as if I wasn’t doing anything these last four months – I’ve been hammering on with the fitness.”
Bayne took time to praise the strikers who have come in during his time out through injury.
“All of the forwards have done well, particularly Steve McDougall,” he said.
“By definition, Steve was a winger, but he has learnt the striking position very well and that’s been a massive bonus for the team. Ross Campbell has also done well since coming in.
“Hopefully we can keep the nucleus of the team together next season because that’s the way it has to be with the financial situation just now.
“You also need that bit of luck to avoid injuries and suspensions at the wrong time of the season.”