YATE Town stalwart Mitch Tippins is hoping to make up for lost time when he resumes his football career after a year out.

Tippins suffered a horrific injury on the very first day of last season when he ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament and damaged the meniscus in his knee.

And, just as he was hoping to start back again last September, the injury flared up again.

But now the former Chippenham, Bristol Manor Farm and Mangotsfield defender hopes to give new manager Paul Britton a boost by returning to action within weeks.

He has been taking part in light training with the squad this summer and said: “I am feeling a lot better and a lot stronger. There is a lot more work to do yet and I’m just going to take my time and not rush back.

“I ruptured my ACL and tore my meniscus (knee) back In August. I had an operation in January and I’m just biding my time now and trying to get back.

“I waited about eight or nine weeks after the injury and I was meant to be coming back from it then but it went again in September.

“There has been a lot of rehab and I am just trying to work hard.

As for his return to duties, Tippins said: “I hope about a month. I am still feeling it a bit so I will wait until that feeling has gone and then I will be back.

“I have been out for a year now and it is my first ever long-term injury. I just want to get back playing football again.”

And he believes the Bluebells can have a decent season in the Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West this coming campaign under manager Paul Britton and his backroom team.

“There are a couple of new players and we are getting to know each other again. I think we will do well this season.”