NEIL Parry knows all too well how to come out on the other side of injury Hell - now he has tipped Alloa captain Andy Graham to do the same. 

Few believed the Wasps' number one would take to the pitch again this season when he hobbled off at East End Park in September, only for the 34-year-old to defy the doomsayers by returning to action this side of Easter. 

The popular stopper has since put in dominant performances away to Dundee and in Saturday’s impressive home win over promotion chasers Inverness Caley Thistle to show the Alloa faithful what they had been missing. 

READ MORE: The kids are alright as Wasps sting Highlanders

And in the week where it emerged skipper Graham is due to have back surgery for a slipped disk which will certainly rule him out until next season, Parry is confident it won't be long before his pal is back doing what he does best.  

Parry told Advertiser Sport: “Anyone who knows Andy knows he is the most upbeat guy and it is terrible to lose him on the pitch because he’s our leader. 

“As soon as he’s away from the operation, he’ll be starting his rehab and he will be giving it everything. 

“He’ll be back on the pitch. It may be next season, but he will be back.

“I know how hard he will work. He did that when he was playing. If someone was due to be out 11 weeks, he’ll get back in nine.”

While no one knows for sure how long the Wasps will have to do without the stalwart, one thing Parry can be sure of is Graham will have a brilliant support network at the club. 

From chairman Mike Mulraney, to kitman Pat Dunne, there wasn’t a single person who didn’t go above and beyond to help the former Airdrieonians keeper during his recovery - even although he admits there were days where he thought his time in the game could be over. 

“I have maybe taken my fitness for granted in the past in years gone by as I have never really had any serious injuries,” Parry continued. 

“It’s been a long six months of working hard with Stuart Phin (Alloa’s sports therapist) and working on my rehab in the gym. It’s not something I had been used to.

“There’s still lots of work to do and I have plenty of rehab and managing (my body) to go.

“It’s strange and there is a spell where you are just recovering from your operation and you are away and not seeing the boys and all those sorts of things.

“That is quite hard.

READ MORE: Parry looking to pass on experience

“There’s another side when are then coming in and you have to be the first one to see the physio or need to go to the gym before you see them. People maybe don’t see that on a Saturday when you are coming in early to see the physio.

Alloa and Hillfoots Advertiser: Alloa chairman Mike Mulraney Alloa chairman Mike Mulraney

“It’s difficult and at my age I would be lying if I thought there were times when I maybe wouldn’t make it back. It does take its toll on your family and things like that.

“People are there for you day and night, all the way from the chairman right down to Pat Dunne. Everyone looks after you so well.”