With the new season getting into full swing Peterhead’s Gary Fraser has been left frustrated at having to kick his heels at home.
The Blue Toon midfielder is currently self-isolating after his girlfriend Emma Bell tested positive for Covid-19 at the beginning of last week.
She has made a recovery and completed a 10-day isolation period.
Fraser has tested negative for coronavirus and has not displayed any symptoms.
However, close contacts are required to isolate for two weeks, so he is still at home.
Having played in Peterhead’s League Cup win against Dundee United, Fraser has missed the victory over Brechin and defeat to Airdrieonians and will also sit out Saturday’s north-east derby with Cove Rangers.
The 26-year-old said: “It’s obviously frustrating when the season is just starting and I’m having to isolate, particularly when I don’t have it.
“But that’s just the way it is, my girlfriend Emma had it and I was a close contact.
“It’s not great after doing a pre-season and looking forward to the season starting and then being in the house.
“I played against Dundee United at Tannadice and it was a great result for us and I was wanting to carry on that momentum and I’ve been stuck in the house.
“But it’s the rules you have to follow and there are plenty of other players who have had to do the same.”
Fraser and the rest of his Peterhead were without football for six months because of the pandemic and he’s eager to return next week, provided he hasn’t contracted Covid-19.
The former Partick Thistle, Hamilton and Bolton player added: “So far I’ve been clear of it and hopefully I don’t get it. It’s not a nice thing to have and I’m looking forward to being able to train again.
“We had six months off, so we’d waited long enough to get back to playing football. It’s just been unfortunate that I’ve had to miss another couple of weeks.
“Emma was struggling at first, but she’s fine now and she’s finished her isolation.”
Fraser would have liked to have played against Cove this weekend at Balmoor.
However, in his absence he is still confident the Buchan side can get a positive result.
He said: “It’s disappointing to miss Saturday’s game. It would have been a brilliant game to play in against Cove.
“I’ve got to miss it, but hopefully once I’m back I’ll get plenty of other chances to play in some of the big games we’ve got this season.
“Even without me I’m sure the boys can do well. We’ve got a good squad and we’ve been playing well at the start of the season.
“The result last week was disappointing, but I don’t think we played too badly, the guys will stick together and battle and hopefully get a good result on Saturday.”
Being stuck indoors Fraser is trying his best to maintain his fitness, although he is limited in what he’s able to do.
He said: “There’s only so much you can do in the house. I’ve been jogging back and forth in my hall and press ups and sit ups and things.
“It’s been all right I’ve been doing what I can and other than that it’s just been about keeping myself occupied.”