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Injured Maidstone captain Blair Turgott hopes to be back in light training in the next few weeks.
Turgott, the Stones' top scorer with 14 goals, was expected to miss between four and six weeks after damaging knee cartilage at the end of November.
His recovery is taking longer after the surgeon elected for a different operation which will benefit the 24-year-old in the long term - but he's well on the mend.
Turgott said: "I saw the surgeon for a check-up last Thursday and he said the knee’s looking good.
"All being well, I’ll get back in the gym with Smudge (physio Paul Smith) and Craig Lewis (sports scientist) in the next week.
"I’ve got to see the surgeon again in another three weeks for him to see whether there’s any reaction and from there I’ll get the go-ahead to go into light training and more pitch-based stuff with Craig and Smudge.
"It's taking longer to get back but it's a better operation that will benefit me in the long term.
"I don't want to be coming back and having it on my mind so the best thing is to take it slowly.
"The most important thing is not to rush anything because I want to be giving my best to the team.
"I don't want to come back a few weeks early and have complications for the sake of two or three games.
"It’s been frustrating because you’re helpless.
"You put yourself in the fans’ shoes because there’s nothing you can do apart from watch but the boys have got my full trust."