Greg's Unlucky Break

Not the break that Dunfermline's 'tinman' was looking for. Keeper reflects:-

Greg Paterson will be restricted to watching DVDs as he remains housebound for at least the next four weeks. Following his leg break in the league match against Dundee just over a week ago, the 20 year old keeper gave an update on his progress since that fateful clash with Ben Hutchison:-

"I can't put any weight on my leg but there is no cast on it. It is open with a couple of big plasters over the staples and although I can get around quite well on my crutches there's no way I will be going out at the moment."

Greg had just started his third league game for Dunfermline and was hopeful that he would be given an extended run in the first team to give him matches to impress his Manager and prove what he could do. The injury came just half an hour into the match and he recounted what had happened:-

"I could feel that my leg wasn't attached, it felt like it was just dangling so I knew right away that it was a problem. I was hoping for the best but it is some consolation that it was a clean break because it will heal better.

"After I was taken off and into the physio's room I had to wait ten to fifteen minutes until the ambulance came. In the meantime I was soaking wet and becoming freezing cold so all my strip had to be cut off."

While waiting on the ambulance Greg was accompanied by his Dad, sister and his girlfriend Amy. Jim Leishman, Rab Douglas and Derek Souter also looked in to show their concern. At the Queen Margaret Hospital x rays were taken and there was a small delay while Greg was fixed up with a temporary plaster that would allow him to get a good nights sleep.

The operation required on his leg was postponed by a day until the Thursday morning when Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Ivan Brenkl could take charge of it.

"It was sore but I was just in shock. The operation took place about nine in the morning, it went fine and I got out about one on the Saturday. I was relieved to get out, I had a lot of visitors but it was good to be home."

Manager Jim McIntyre had visited Greg on the night of the match and team mates Greg Ross, Scott Muirhead, Joe Cardle, Calum Woods, Greg Fleming, Paul Willis and Gary Mason all visited in the following week.

Greg was told not to worry about his contract with the gaffer assuring him that he wouldn't be dumped just because of what had happened. "He said that something would be sorted out for me."

It will be Thursday 15th April before Greg returns to see Mr Brenkl but the player whose tackle led to the leg break, Ben Hutchison, has telephoned Greg to apologise for what had happened. Greg added:-

"I told him that it was just a freak accident and not to worry about it. It could have happened either way. I was going in with no intention of stopping."

The leg might take six months to mend meaning Greg will certainly miss pre season and the start of the new season but his target is to return in August or September.

"Obviously everybody is thinking it will take about six months but I am quite a quick healer. It is very unfortunate that it happened - it's just my luck."

After Greg is able to put weight back on his leg and entered rehab he hopes to be able to go off on holiday but christening himself 'tinman' he hopes security checks will allow him to travel:-

"I have two rods and bolts in my back from a previous injury, now I have a pin in my leg as well!"

Above: Greg Paterson in the warm up at Palmerston Park on Saturday 27th March