SIMON DONNELLY’S determination to get back into the thick of things as soon as possible after breaking a foot appears to have set him back by at least a week, writes Lars Niven.

The Dunfermline striker was just beginning to hit his stride and force his way into the first team when he was crocked in the game against Celtic at the start of last month.

An X-ray revealed broken bones in his foot and the prognosis was the 30-year-old, who was signed by Davie Hay at the start of the season, would be out for up to six weeks.

Donnelly has been doing some light training and tried running last week.

However, he admitted yesterday it had probably been a bit too soon for him, saying, “I did a bit of running, but I could feel the injury afterwards.

“I saw the specialist and he reckoned I should leave it for another week or so.”

Pars boss Davie Hay wasn’t too concerned.

“We always thought he was another three or four weeks away from being ready anyway, so I don’t think it will jeopardise his comeback schedule,” he said.

“He’s just been so keen to get back maybe he’s started running a week or so earlier than he should have done.

“I think he was just keen to get back into the frame.”

Donnelly is one of four long-term injured at East End Park.

The others are defenders Richie Byrne and Greg Shields and midfielder Darren Young.

“As time goes on slowly but surely they’ll get there,” Hay added.

“There’s still a wee bit of time before they’ll be ready, possibly three or four weeks.”

Defenders Scott Wilson and Aaron Labonte will also miss out on the trip to Glasgow to face Rangers tomorrow through injury.

Both players picked up an ankle injury last week and are still struggling to shake the problem off.

Hay said, “I thought Scott would have been okay this week, but he’s not done as well as I’d hoped.

“Neither of them will make it,” the manager added.