Frank Ross wants to put his injury hell behind him as he looks for a new club after leaving Aberdeen.
After an injury-plagued two years, which has seen Ross battle with back and ankle problems, it came as no surprise to him that he was not offered an extension with his boyhood club.
He was let go this summer, bringing to an end a decade-and-a-half with the Dons. Thirteen first-team appearances and one memorable goal – a free-kick against Rangers in December 2017 – is what he leaves with, but he accepts a parting of the ways was on the cards.
The 22-year-old feels he has regained his full fitness and has been free of any pain, as he looks to secure his next move.
Ross said: “I was injured for about two years – I think I only played three games for the reserves in that two years. I was extremely unlucky with injuries, but I was expecting it, probably since February, not to get anything. But that’s football, you need to move on.
“I think the fact I was injured – it was just unlucky that I didn’t get an extension, that made it easier. I’ve been able to plan ahead for a few months now, but it’s just a horrible time to be a free agent. There’s hundreds of players on the market. My agent is speaking to a few clubs and hopefully there’ll be some progress soon.
“I’m feeling good. I’ve had a few months now of no niggles, so touch wood I stay that way.”
The Ellon-born midfielder missed the best part of a year with a back problem sustained on Scotland under-21 duty. That call-up came just after he had broken into the Aberdeen team at the start of the 2018-19 campaign.
He was sent out on loan until January 2020 to Championship side Ayr United, but after two fleeting appearances in the Betfred Cup, an ankle injury deprived him of an opportunity for further minutes.
Ross added: “I started this season on loan at Ayr and in the first few weeks, hurt my ankle. I was out three or four months with that. I came back at the end of January and got a few games with the reserves in then the pandemic happened.
“I feel like I’m quite fit now, so I’d like to find a club. This is the first time in two years I’ve been properly fit.
“You miss it – when you’re injured and you have to watch the lads go out to training, or on a matchday when you sit and watch, it’s horrible. I just want to play football and enjoy it again.”