Dumbarton skipper Mark Durnan aiming to help Sons to promotion after injury return

Mark Durnan spent five months as Dumbarton’s most frustrated supporter.

Now the skipper is ready to spearhead a promotion push as Sons aim to make it third time lucky, after back-to-back seasons of playoff heartbreak.

The 31-year-old made his first appearance in 20 weeks earlier this month, after a lengthy spell on the sidelines that left him kicking every ball from the stand.

Mark told the Lennox: “I was managing my knee with injections at the start of the season.

“Against Spartans in October, I went over on my ankle, but I worked hard and managed to get back from that.

“But my knee had deteriorated a bit in strength further whilst I was injured.

“I’d lost strength in that and it was something that we thought we could have a quick operation on to get me back to full fitness before the end of the season.

“Thankfully it worked and I’ve not had any problems.

“It’s been frustrating, but I’m really glad to be back and helping the lads try to push on towards the end of the season.

“The months out have been difficult. I’ve missed some big games and I’ve missed even being in and around the lads.

“I’m probably not a very good spectator. I’m probably worse than any of the fans on the sidelines.

“But I just want the team to win and I’m glad that I can play a part in that again now.”

With 18-year-olds Cian Newbury and Gallagher Lennon playing around him, Durnan is now determined to use his experience to help the youngsters - just as Sons assistant boss Frank McKeown helped him as a teenager taking his first steps in the game.

Mark continued: “Gal and Cian are coming from big clubs to learn their trade just like I did at that age.

“I was a St Johnstone player at the time and went on loan to Stranraer and learned my trade alongside