Drey on the road to recovery

Drey Wright burst onto the scene in Scottish football when he made a blistering start to his Saints career after joining from Colchester United last summer.

The right winger rightfully gained plaudits from supporters and the media for his performances and for what he brought to Tommy Wright's side at the start of the 2018/19 campaign.

Disaster struck in November though as Drey was carried off during the 0-0 stalemate with Kilmarnock in McDiarmid Park in what looked like an innocuous challenge which would end the Englishman's season.

The knee ligament injury sustained by Drey meant he'd be watching the remainder of his first season in Perth from the stands much to the dismay of his manager and the McDiarmid Park faithful.

He's been working hard ever since to get back to full fitness and Drey believes he's on track to be back in training in time for pre-season.

"My recovery is all going to plan," he said, "I've been back outside over the past couple of weeks and that's about five months now since the operation.

"Things are progressing well and it's all going fine. It's been tough - coming up here was a fresh start for me and I was really enjoying myself so getting over that disappointment knowing I was ruled out for the rest of the season was hard.

"What's helped is that I've been through it before so I know what to do and what not to do to get through it.

"To go away now in the summer and not keep working would be detrimental to what I've been doing over the past five months to get fit. I'll be in during the close season and will be back before the rest of the boys as well.

"It's work that's got to be done to make sure that I'm giving myself the chance of being back fit and ready in time for the new season."

He continued: "I don't want to put a definite timescale on it and I don't want to rush back too soon but hopefully I'll be there or thereabouts for the first month of the new campaign.

"I'm itching to get back out there so hopefully I'll get involved more in training with the boys during pre-season.

"Then it's just about fitness from there and I'll be doing all I can working away from training to get myself back fit and available as soon as possible."

Before his injury Drey was settling in well to life in Perth and he says he's enjoyed his time north of the border so far despite his injury setback.

"Up until the injury it was going really well for me," Drey said.

"It was great on and off the pitch but obviously the injury was a setback. Even then though it's still been good and I've settled in now.

"The boys have been brilliant and the rehab is going well so it's fine. Obviously it's frustrating watching the games wanting to be out there but I'll be back soon and I'll be raring to go."