Alloa's David Devine praised by boss after injury return

The 25-year-old ruptured his hamstring, which required surgery, in a game with Hamilton Academical five days before Christmas last year.

It kept the defender out of action for the remainder of the previous campaign, but he returned to competitive action for the start of the Wasps' Premier Sports Cup group stage matches in July.

During pre-season, Wasps boss, Andy Graham, said that Devine had "looked absolutely brilliant", and revealed that he'd trained during the week of their agonising Championship play-off final loss to Stenhousemuir in May.

He explained that the operation Devine had would ensure he didn't break down in his recovery, and was confident a player he believes is "by far and away, in my opinion, the best centre half in the league if he's fit", would "hit the ground running".

David Devine missed the rest of last season after being injured in a game at Hamilton Academical in December. (Image: Scott Barron Photography.)

Ahead of tomorrow's clash with Peterhead, the centre back has played every minute of Alloa's League One season, helping them to three clean sheets in four outings.

Graham said: "David Devine has been, in all honesty, an absolute revelation, to be honest, getting him back.

"In my opinion, he's been our most consistent player.

"I know young KG (Kyle Glasgow) is getting lot of talk at the moment for the goals and contribution, Luke Rankin's done really well, and Grant Marchant's done great, but, in my opinion, David's been outstanding.

"It's been great to have him back and hopefully it continues.

"The operation, like I've said before, hopefully that's the thing that's going to get him over the injury problems that he's had, because there's no doubt in my mind that he can go and play at the very top level, with the attributes he's got.

"But, again, we need to manage him properly. We've been doing that throughout the League Cup campaign.

Andy Graham has been delighted with David Devine's return from injury. (Image: David Wardle.)

"I think it's so important we get it right for him, and we make sure that we keep getting him out in that pitch on a Saturday, because you see the difference that he can make to the back four.

"I think, as a defensive unit, if you can get that togetherness, and that solidity, then it goes a long way, and he's a big part of that."