Dunfermline striker Graham Bayne is sweating his way through the most important pre-season training of his career as he bids to prove to his manager, Jim McIntyre, that he can still play a big part in the Pars’ plans.
The 30-year-old centre-forward was blighted for months last season by a painful condition, plantar fasciitis, in his right foot.
It is notoriously difficult to treat, and after four attempted comebacks failed, Bayne went under the knife in April in a bid to finally cure the problem.
Despite the operation, he feared that he would be another victim of McIntyre’s end-of-season clear-out.
However, the club decided to award him a contract until the end of July to give him time to prove his fitness.
“I was operated on 11 or 12 weeks ago now,” said Bayne.
“The surgeon made a small keyhole incision on either side of my heel under a general anaesthetic.
“Afterwards, I was in during our summer break four or five times a week I think the physio is cursing me a bit for denying him his full holidays,” he said smiling.
“But it was important to give myself every chance to get fully fit again.
“The surgeon said that after six weeks I would be able to do some light running, and he was bang on to the day.
“It has just been a case of progressing slowly and nursing it back to health.Maximum test”I have managed to take part in the pre-season running so far and it is now a case of giving my foot a maximum test to see if it holds out.
“It was good of the club to give me a contract until the end of July, as I had been out since the start of December.
“I had seen a few of my close mates being released at the end of the season and I felt a bit guilty about being given the short-term deal.
“But obviously, the manager felt that if I could get fit, then I could still be an integral part of his plans here.
“So, this is definitely the most important pre-season of my career.
“I was in the gym every day during my months out, and also did a lot of swimming and a little cycling but it is not the same as running.
“I have started back again and it is hard going.
“However, I am making the times and the manager is happy. If I can continue with that, then all the better.”Fingers crossedAlthough he is keeping his fingers crossed the operation has had the desired effect, Bayne has had a lot of time to think about what the future holds when he does finally hang up his boots-and he admits it is a “scary” prospect.
“This has been the first serious injury of my career and it has hit me hard,” he added.
“It really started me thinking about my future.
“I was quite good at school, but I left before doing my full set of highers as playing football was my dream.
“It becomes quite a scary proposition, as although I think I could be good at one or two things, not having the qualifications will hold me back.
“I have thought about going into coaching, but again you have to look at how many coaches who are perceived to be good are out of a job right now.
“I would probably like to coach kids or youths, but right now there are not a lot of sustainable jobs around.
“Like everybody else, I have a mortgage and a family to look after, so it has to be the right decision.”