Wick's Davie Allan could make a welcome return in new year
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Wick Academy talisman Davie Allan looks set to make a long-awaited playing comeback early in the new year.
It is now more than 18 months since the Scorries striker suffered a devastating knee injury in action against Inverurie Locos.
Even after a touch of good fortune in receiving an immediate operation after the horrific blow in April 2022, it has proved a long and challenging recovery for the fans’ favourite.
With 159 goals in 406 appearances since joining Wick in December 2008, it is no exaggeration to say Allan ranks among club legends.
Rather than reflect on the past, though, manager Gary Manson feels Allan is now finally able to focus on the future with a far greater degree of confidence.
Setting a rough timescale for the 34-year-old’s return, Manson said: “It was a very severe injury for Davie, but he’s back training now, so I’m really happy for him.
“I’m not going to push him too hard because of the nature of the injury he had. It was a ruptured patellar tendon. Essentially, a massive tendon holds your kneecap in place and Davie’s was completely ruptured.
“We’re being cautious and not risking a hasty return. He is feeling a lot more comfortable with it and he has been training quite regularly now.
“It will probably be just after the turn of the year, and into 2024, that we will see Davie back out there on the pitch. It will certainly be good to see him back.”
Wick, with influential frontman Marc MacGregor back available for recent matches, have begun to produce some very decent football, while still paying a penalty for defensive lapses.
Manson, after yesterday’s postponement of tonight’s scheduled trip to face Strathspey Thistle, feels a return of four points from the past four outings is a poor reflection of how well the team has been playing.
With a home clash with Banks o’ Dee next up on Saturday, the manager now hopes to welcome back midfielder James Mackay, signed from amateurs St Duthus in the summer, to further strengthen momentum.
“James joined us in the summer and only managed four games before he damaged his knee,” Manson said.
“It will be a good boost, and hopefully we can avoid the experience of the past couple of years where we’ve tended to get a couple of players back and then lost a couple more to injury.
“At the start of the season, we never had Marc MacGregor, our first choice number 9, available. He makes a massive difference to how we play. The players are starting to come together and realise the standard they must be at week-in, week-out to compete.”
