Turriff United full back Stuart Cumming is already on the long way back to fitness after suffering a double leg-break in the 4-1 league victory over Lossiemouth at the Haughs this month.
Cumming has received some encouraging news about his broken tibia and fibula.
He said: “The specialist has told me that, although the bones are not yet lined up perfectly, they are just a couple of degrees off, so they are happy enough that they will knit together in the long run.
“That is a huge boost for me as I didn’t want to have an operation and they said they didn’t want to put pins into my leg, partly because of my job as a joiner.
“I know I am going to be out of the game for quite a while but players have come back from a lot worse injuries than the one I’ve suffered.
“Obviously, I’ve written off this season but hopefully I can get back sometime next year.”
The 30-year-old former Buckie Thistle defender said he was swept away by the generosity of his United team-mates.
He added: “The boys chipped in and got me a PlayStation 4. I was over the moon, they are a cracking bunch of lads. They are all comparatively young compared to myself and another joiner, Gary McGowan, who is also 30, but they have all been very supportive to me since the injury.
“Having said that, I have also been amazed and surprised by the number of messages of support I have received from all over the Highland League.
“That shows that it is like a big family and I would like to thank each and every one of them for their good wishes. Their support is greatly appreciated.
“Manager Ross Jack, his assistant Bobby Beckwith and all of the Turriff backroom staff have been fabulous over the last few weeks.”
Jack is pleased that, although it is early days in Cumming’s recuperation, the player’s recovery has got off to a positive start.
Jack said: “Stuart was at our home game against Keith. He just needs to be careful and sensible and not move about too much. He was in good spirits but he knows that it will be a long road back for him.”