Turner prize would be swift return

"The Club is great and everyone believes that if we can put together a couple of wins to lift us up the league, we can start the season afresh.

Iain Turner made four appearances for Dunfermline before injury that has blighted his season struck again. After a dozen starts for Preston North End at the start of the season a foot injury sidelined him and then he failed to win his place back after the Deepdale club brought in German Thorstan Stuckmann. In January when Dunfermline were looking for cover after Paul Gallacher was ruled out for the remainder of the season, Iain jumped at the loan opportunity since it was an ideal chance to play football again.

Misfortune revisited the goalkeeper five weeks ago just before the Tuesday night game against Kilmarnock on 7th February.

"My back had been a bit sore leading up to the game but I thought I'd get through it but during the warm up it didn't react too well. I went back in for treatment and for a couple of days after that my back was just in spasm."

Iain returned to training on Monday and was put through some light goalkeeping. If progress is good he hopes to be in contention for the next match against St Mirren on Saturday 24th March. He said:-

"It is feeling good now so I am happy. The specialist said to shut down for four to six weeks then start light training again. After a couple of weeks it felt reasonably good and so that's why I have tried to step it up a wee bit sooner than the specialist said. Touch wood it is a good choice."

The 28 year old has been frustrated watching from the sidelines and is desperate to get a chance to show what he can do for Dunfermline Athletic:-

"The Club is great and everyone believes that if we can put together a couple of wins to lift us up the league, we can start the season afresh. We all know what we can do, we just need to start doing it and we have three big games before the split."

Paul Gallacher took the goalie coaching on Monday since goalkeeping coach Brian Potter is part time. It was the first time Iain had trained with Gal even though the latter had been told that he will not be doing any real goalkeeping until July.

The break as a result of the two free weekends has given the whole squad a chance to recuperate from various injuries. Iain added:-

"Two weeks off at this stage in the season is very strange to me. The last few seasons there have been games Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday - fixtures build up over Christmas. It gives all the boys who have had a few bumps and knocks a couple of weeks to get their legs back ahead of eight massive games now. Everyone has to give it their all."

As for Paul Gallacher, Monday was a one off. He had the gloves back on but he was merely participating in an advisory role. Just watching reactions and pointing out if Iain was doing anything wrong.