DARREN PETRIE thanked his teammates for their support as he continues to recover from his latest injury blow.

The former Raith Rovers man's season was ended in November after he twisted his knee during training.

It's the second major injury of the 23-year-old's career as he suffered from a similarly shocking setback during his time at Stirling Albion.

But, he is refusing to let the latest disappointment get him down and insists the support of everyone at Sauchie is getting him through.

He told Advertiser Sport: "Since the day it happened I have had non-stop messages from the lads, Iain and Adrian, and the chairman as well.

"I can't thank everybody enough for what they have done and it's not an easy thing to happen to you.

"Mentally, it is quite tough and financially it is tough, but the club have been excellent and I can't thank them enough for what they have done.

"It is a great group of boys and one of the best changing rooms I have been part of and that has helped massively.

"It's easy just to quieten off and go into your shell, but thankfully they've not let me do that.

"I am just staying positive and taking it day by day."

The midfielder had played a crucial part in Iain Diack's Sauchie revolution with a number of cultured performances since joining in the summer.

His move to Sauchie ended a one-year hiatus from football and Petrie insists he has fallen in love with the game again during his time at Beechwood Park.

He said: "It's so hard when you are watching the team, especially when you feel you can make an impact.

"We absolutely battered Bo'ness and were unlucky to face Bonnyrigg when we were missing so many bodies and feel I could have helped in those two games.

"It's so difficult mentally to just sit there and be helpless.

"I've just been finding my love for the game again and it is just my luck that something like this happens out of the blue and that's my season over."