Albion Rovers striker Marc Pollock faces year on sidelines

Feb 3 2010 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge

MARC POLLOCK has vowed to bounce back from his injury nightmare, writes Colin Paterson.

The Albion Rovers striker faces a year on the sidelines after it was confirmed that he has damaged cruciate ligaments in his right knee.

Pollock will have a scan on February 23 and will go under the knife in May.

Rovers have confirmed they will stand by the young forward, who recently signed a contract extension which will keep him at Cliftonhill until the end of next season.

The support of his club came as a relief to Pollock, who is gearing up for long rehabilitation sessions with physio John McMenemy.

He told the Advertiser: “I am really pleased Rovers are standing by me. I know I have a lot of hard work ahead.

“I want to get back playing again as quickly as possible but the important thing is that I listen to the people around me.

“John’s a really good guy and the doctors are happy for him to put me through my rehabilitation.”

Pollock has been signed off his work as a PE teacher until after the summer and he revealed doctors instantly knew that he’d sustained serious damage.

He added: “The surgeon looked at the swelling, saw that I couldn’t straighten my leg and said that I’d done my cruciate.

“I am not one for sitting about but the knee is stopping me doing anything. I won’t be able to drive until October.”

Rovers boss Paul Martin has backed Pollock to return to fitness.

He said: “Is Marc mentally strong enough to cope with this? Yes, and then some.

“I’m happy we gave him a contract extension when we did as it removes any of the debate as to what we would have done at the end of the season.”

lROVERS beat junior side Petershill 5-1 on Monday night. Pat Walker scored twice, with Marc McCusker, Steven McKeown and Jamie Gilmartin also netting.

Ex-Annan winger Lee Hoolickin played in the match and he is expected to join Rovers this week, while Dunfermline’s Ryan Thomson is set to arrive on loan after the Pars’ Scottish Cup clash with Celtic.