Crocked Motherwell defender Charles Dunne hopes to be back in a few weeks

Charles Dunne has been crocked since a freak injury at Stranraer in July

The 25-year-old centre back hasn’t played since sustaining a freak injury in the Betfred Cup game at Stranraer on July 21.

“I’m back soon,” Dunne said.

“I’m just starting rehab now, strengthening up my groin where it got injured, so hopefully I’ll be back in a few weeks.

“A few weeks of strengthening, obviously running, and I’ve got to play a few reserve games to get myself going.

“Then, hopefully, back in action.

“I don’t want to rush back and hurt myself again. So I’ve just got to make sure I’m solid and ready so I don’t get a relapse.”

Describing the injury at Stair Park, Dunne added: “I just cleared the ball up the line and my right groin just popped with the bone. It was quite unusual.

“It was out of nowhere. The surgeon was surprised it happened. These things happen in football. It’s just about how you deal with it.”

Dunne (pictured with other guests) was speaking at last Wednesday’s Suicide Prevention North Lanarkshire football tournament at Motherwell’s Ravenscraig Sports Facility (full story on page 36).