Ross County attacker Liam Boyce is targeting a return to action in the League Cup semi-final against Celtic on Sunday, January 31.
The Staggies forward is recovering from a broken bone in his left hand, but hopes his recovery will be complete in time to help the Staggies’ bid to reach the final of the competition for the first time in the club’s history.
While confident of making it, Boyce will avoid rushing back prematurely and risking complications with the broken bone – and has the full backing of manager Jim McIntyre.
Boyce said: “I’ve to keep the cast on for between two and four weeks because there’s a chance of a re-fracture after a fortnight.
“Obviously, I want to get back in for the semi-final against Celtic if I can. The only positive is I can keep training even with the cast on. It’s just the contact stuff I can’t do. I can still run and do bike work. I will lose my match sharpness but I will still have my fitness when I return.
“I don’t want to come back too early because that could mean I am out for a couple of months.”
Northern Ireland’s qualification for the European championship finals in France this summer have coincided with Boyce finding scoring form.
His 17 goals for County have given him a chance of making Michael O’Neill’s squad and provide another reason why Boyce will not jeopardise his summer prospects by risking long-term injury.
He added: “The Euros are on my mind and I don’t want to ruin my chances as it is a big competition. I wouldn’t want to take any chance and the manager knows that. He’s probably thinking that way too.”
Boyce attracted Celtic’s interest and then won a move to the Bundesliga on the back of his first productive spell at part-time Cliftonville in Northern Ireland. Doing it at the top level in Scotland, though, amounts to the finest yet period of his career.
He said: “This has been the best spell because the level I was playing at back home wasn’t as high. To come to this level, get myself fit and have a good season has been fantastic.”