Kilmarnock striker Gary Harkins has revealed he has played with a broken ankle for up to four years.
Forward has played years with broken ankle
Kilmarnock striker Gary Harkins has revealed he has played with a broken ankle for up to four years.
The 27-year-old went for a scan on an ankle injury sustained last month and was initially expected to be out for up to six weeks.
However, the scan revealed he had suffered only ligament damage and that the fracture was several years old.
Speaking after making a surprise return to the side in a 2-1 Scottish Cup replay win against Dundee on Tuesday, Harkins admitted he could have sustained the initial break up to four years ago.
"I definitely thought I'd be out for a good while. I was gutted at the New Year," said the former Blackburn trainee.
"I was in a plaster-cast for four days, but I went to the specialist and after they X-rayed it again, he said it was an old fracture that nothing could be done with.
Fracture
"With the old fracture, the ligament had come off the bone. It was a few years ago when I did it and no-one had noticed.
"I might have done it at Partick because I remember missing a game after I had gone over on my ankle, or at Dundee when I missed another game.
"It's pretty much that I had a broken ankle for about four years. It's just one of those things when you go over on it and you just think it is sore. I can't speak highly enough of the physios for getting me back and getting me ready again.
"It was good to be able to play so early. I'm happy because I just wanted to be back as soon as possible and the Dundee match came at the perfect time."
