Livingston boss says it was 'brilliant' to see defender make return from long-term injury

David Martindale says it was ‘brilliant’ to see defender Tom Parkes make his return from injury – but admitted it may be next season before he gets any first-team minutes.

The 31-year-old defender hasn’t featured for the Lions since December 2021 due to a knee injury but made his return with 30 minutes in a reserves clash against Dundee United last week and was an unused substitute for Livi’s clash at Tannadice a few days later.

The former Exeter City and Bristol Rovers centre-back has featured only 11 times during his two-year stint in West Lothian with Martindale highlighting the importance of a full pre-season for the defender, who still has a year remaining on his contract.

He said: “He played 30 minutes for the reserves and he did well. Dundee United have got some good kids and you can tell they’re full-time and have been together for a few years.

“His brain was bang on but his body was a wee bit off it. I could see what he was wanting to do but his body wasn’t quite getting him there, but you’ve got to remember he hasn’t played a lot of football in two years so it’s going to take time to get him back up to speed.

“It was nice to see him get his boots on. He said he woke up excited. That’s a 31-year-old man excited to be playing against Dundee United under-18s. It’s brilliant. That’s football for me.

“It put it all in perspective. He’s got a fair bit to go but it was just great to see him out on the park.”

Martindale added: “I’m a huge believer in pre-season and Jamie Brandon is in a similar boat where I’m tentative to throw him in just now because he’s got a huge summer.

“Nicky Devlin won’t be here and he was brought in to be competitive in that right-back position.

“If I throw him in and he picks up a knock and