Thursday 4th January 2018
IT’S been a tough festive season for Dumbarton – but even tougher for Chris McLaughlin.
His team-mates have had two difficult fixtures, losing 4-1 at home to Livingston before a 0-0 draw with Queen of the South which they were unlucky not to win.
But it’s even more difficult when you have to sit and watch – especially when it’s from the sofa.
Having been ever present in this season’s Championship, Chris was absent from those two games after his ankle injury against Falkirk on Saturday, December 23.
And the need to rest up meant that he didn’t travel to Dumfries to cheer his team-mates on to Tuesday’s well-earned point against Queens.
Chris is now due to see the club physio again tonight after the swelling healed on his injury – and he’s hoping for good news.
Speaking to www.dumbartonfootballclub.com, Chris said: “Hopefully tonight I’ll be able to find out if I need a scan, or even have a better idea of how long I’ll be out for.
“When I first got injured I was thought to be out for six weeks, but that was an estimate due to the swelling. Now that it’s gone down, they might know more definitely.
“It’s been horrible being out. It’s all I’ve been doing, going to training and games, and now games are taking place and I can’t play in them.
“I’m just hopeful that I’ll be fully fit as soon as possible and can return to being involved.
“It was a tough game against Livingston, especially coming only three days after Falkirk.
“In order to keep resting up, I didn’t travel to Dumfries, but I was keeping an eye on how it went.
“I heard they played well and had a couple of good chances, but they did well to get a point. I’m buzzing for them after that and hopefully they can keep getting results.”
Next up for Sons is Saturday’s home game against Dunfermline, although Chris will of course still be on the sidelines.
But he’ll be kicking every ball as the squad continues to push for points to achieve its goal in the Championship.
He added: “I’ll hopefully be able to start walking about soon and the muscles will start to improve.
“I can move up and down alright; it’s just moving from side to side. I’ll know more tonight.”
© Fullarton Photos 2017
Andy Galloway