Vaughan will show he’s back for good

Raith Rovers star Lewis Va u g h a n will h av e m o r e reasons than most to experience the thrill of league football returning this af ternoon – af ter confessing he feared his career was over.

The 24- year ’s second half appearance in Tuesday ’s Be tfred Cup defeat to Hearts was his first competitive outing since September last year.

And it was only the fourth time the luckless attacker had taken to the field in the last 21 months because of a nightmare spell of injuries.

Va u g h a n suffered cruciate knee ligament damage for the third time in his career last September, testing the strength of his mind as well as his body.

Ho w e v e r, the fans’ favourite is determined to prove in Rovers’ Championship opener against Arbroath that he is finally back for good.

He said: “I can’t wait to get games under my belt, stay fit and play some football. I’m dying to play, it’s been too long.

“I’ve not played much in the last two or two-and-ahalf years, and I just want to get back on the pitch and get playing again.

“Boys get injured and come back quicker than me, something like a six or seven-week injury.

“I would love that, I would love a six or sevenweek injury, not a ninemonth injury again.

“But hopefully that’s me done. I’ve had more than my fair share, so hopefully, touch wood, that’s me done with injuries.

“The number of people who have asked me, ‘ do you think you’ll play again?’. I would think, ‘ what else can I do? The time’s going to pass anyway’.

“Am I going to just stop playing? No, I’m not. Maybe if I was older, yes, but I’m still only 24. I don’t know what else I would do.

“I’ll just give it everything

I’ve got. I had another year on my contract, so I had nothing to lose. I’ve just tried to give it everything I could to get back.

“I’ve come a long way. When I first s aw the consultant I did wonder if I was going to play again.

“But, I’ve come this far and hopefully that’s me back.

“It’s been so long and I can’ t wait to get stuck into the Championship. Hopefully I can stay fit and enjoy playing again.”

Ironically, having been out for so long, Vaughan has not mi s s e d m u c h football.

The premature end to last season, followed by the delay in the new campaign, means he has not suffered as much as he would have without the coronavirus pandemic.

Lockdown did present problems in his recovery but he is delighted to have finally shaken off niggling hamstring problems to be back in the squad in time for this afternoon’s visit of Arbroath.

He added: “It’s been tough going through yet another knee injury and people don’t see the mental side of it.

“During lockdown, I had to try to keep my rehab going.

“Obviously the g yms were shut and I wasn’t getting any physio.

“But luckily my dad had a few bits of equipment in the garden, otherwise it might have put me back another three or four months.

“It gets harder every time I do it, but hopefully this time that’s me finished with this. I’ve left no stone unturned this time.

“So hopefully it’s just about me getting back to playing and scoring.”

Arbroath, who lost out to Ross County in Betfred Cup action in midweek, are without defender Colin Hamilton, though he is expected to return to training soon.

COMEBACK MAN: Lewis Vaughan is keen to prove he’s finally recovered from his 21-month injury nightmare.