Buckie Thistle fan favourite Kevin Fraser could return to action this month after two years of injury hell
A BUCKIE Thistle fan favourite - and one of the Highland League’s most technically gifted players - could be set to return to action this month after two years of injury hell.
Kevin Fraser - who last played in late 2022 - is currently going through his pre-season paces with a specialist in Inverness - and could be just weeks away from kicking a competitive ball again for the Jags.
Manager Lewis Mackinnon hinted that the target for Fraser is a return for the trip to Ayr United in the League Cup on July 27.
Mackinnon said Fraser - who has undergone a groin operation - will be like a new signing for Buckie.
“Kevin has done all of pre-season,” Mackinnon said. “He is looking good and sharp - it’s hard to believe he had that length of time out.
“We don’t want to push him too hard so he is going through specialist training in Inverness twice a week.”
Darryl McHardy - who missed the tail end of the Jags’ Highland League-winning campaign is also set to return around the same date.
Mackinnon added: “Darryl has also been out for a long period of time and has also done every training session.
“They will both be like new signings and will strengthen the squad massively.”
In addition to Fraser and McHardy, Buckie are set to have four players return for this weekend’s clash with Falkirk in the League Cup.
Dale Wood, Liam Harvey, Joe McCabe and Josh Peters will all be available against Falkirk having missed Saturday’s 4-0 defeat at Stenhousemuir.
