MARC BACK ON RIGHT COURSE

MARCUS GODINHO admits he’s planning to hit the books after spending the summer fearing his football career was over.

The Hearts full-back struggled with a knee injury and after playing through the pain finally went under the knife in the summer.

He was warned the fluid build-up in his knee may not go away and would likely result in him playing with constant pain.

Worried about not returning he considered signing up for university.

But, after marking his return to action in the 2-1 weekend win over Aberdeen, the Canadian says he is feeling stronger than ever.

Godinho said: “My knee was bothering me for six weeks and I was playing through it. I had constant fluid for a while and we didn’t know whether it was from my previous operation or if something had happened.

“I only expected to be out for about six weeks but it ended up being a full tear to the bone. It was six months. The outlook was negative at first and there was the potential my knee could always have fluid in it.

“I didn’t know how I’d cope at that level again but everything has been great and I’m feeling good. My mentality was, ‘I’m going to give it my all and if it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work’.”

The 21-year-old was spooked so much he’s set to follow through with his back-up plan.

He said: “I was considering it before football but I’m thinking of starting a university course in January, in natural sciences, to have it as a back-up.”