Scott Robinson is eyeing a long-awaited Kilmarnock return as he aims to finally put his injury troubles behind him.
The Rugby Park forward has not kicked a ball since January after suffering a serious foot injury which then flared up again in pre-season.
It has been a nightmare 12 months for the popular 30-year-old who has played less than an hour for Killie chief Derek McInnes.
But with the World Cup break at an end – and Killie set for a Premiership return on Saturday against Hearts at Tynecastle – Robinson is close to being involved again.
And the former Jambo, who signed for Killie after a successful stint at Livingston, is looking to make his mark as a thank you to those who have kept his head up during the tough, lonely months of rehabilitation.
Robinson, who has used a specialist running machine designed by NASA as part of his fight back to fitness, said: “It is your family who keep you going, especially after the setback during the summer.
“The club have also been brilliant. They have given me the best treatment, the best consultants and I am highly thankful to them for that.
“I just want to get back and repay everyone from the gaffer to the chairman [Billy Bowie]. Financially, it is not cheap getting the best help possible.
“Football can be a dream job but there are also some tough times and this is one of them. It has just been about staying positive even though I have had to go through the whole [rehabilitation] process again.
“I’m just hoping it is all behind me as it has been so long since I played a match.”
Robinson admits the prospect of facing Celtic in the semi-finals of the League Cup at Hampden next month has been added motivation.
“That is the aim,” he added. “That is something to look forward to. I have been to Hampden a few times with Livingston but there were no fans there. I was also lucky enough to win the Scottish Cup with Hearts so it would be nice to get back there.”
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