Looking Forward To The New Year

Motherwell midfielder Marc Fitzpatrick is hoping it will be a happy new year as he recovers from surgery on his groin. He has set himself a target of breaking into the first team in January. He has only made one appearance, as a substitute, under Jim Gannon, in the Europa League clash in Flamurtari, before having to give into the injury.

He said: "I was getting repetitive groin strains that just wouldn't clear. JP (physio John Porteous) sent me for an operation down south last week and, basically, it was a ligament that needed released. I came in yesterday to start my rehabilitation, which at the moment only involves walking round the pitch and some light cycling. It's still a bit tender but that is natural at this stage, my first day went well. I am aiming for about four weeks to get back into training so hopefully, come the new year, I'll be back in contention."