LIAM Hearn will return next year fighting fit and stronger than ever – that's the view of Grimsby Town physio Dave Moore.
Moore has been closely working with last season's Player of the Year after he ruptured his Achilles tendon in August.
And he has been impressed with the frontman's attitude towards his recovery process, saying that it bodes well for the 27-year-old's eventual reintegration into the team – which could be next March.
Moore said: "Liam has done fantastically well and he's ahead of every target we set him.
"He had six weeks in plaster cast initially, and, since then, we've been able to make a lot of progress.
"He's been a pleasure to work with because he's so dedicated and keeps himself so fit.
"He really wants to do the work and it's not like you have to push him to do anything.
"There is another player at Kidderminster (Jack Byrne) who did his Achilles at the same time as Liam and they're keeping each other going.
"He's made some real progress and he's now at the stage where he's doing a lot of strengthening work on the calves and a lot of cycling and running on the spot on a trampoline in the gym. It's going really positively for him."
Understandably, fans have been eager to find out when Hearn, who scored 29 goals last campaign, will be fit to return to action.
But Moore stressed that the striker understands he needs to 'take his medicine', saying that everyone appreciates the importance of not rushing his recuperation process.
He continued: "Over this month, the next progression for him is to start jogging and then doing some combination exercises but, as I said, everything we've done with him in the past he has come through without any problems.
"The attitude that he has really bodes well for when he does come back. The great thing about Liam is the fact he has kept himself so fit on the bikes and the step machines, means that once he does get back to being able to run about, it won't take him long to get him back fully fit again.
"Obviously it is very sport specific – there's no amount of cycling can get you ready for football and vice-versa. The things he hasn't been able to do are running and football, so there will be a period where he has to do all that.
"But he has kept himself in great condition. He's so determined to come back stronger.
"But, it's important that we take our medicine. We knew when he had the injury that it would be six months and, unfortunately, there is no way of speeding up the healing process – the worst thing you can do is push it and we won't do that."
