Blackpool's McAlister hopes he's over the worst

The 31-year-old suffered a fractured tibia during the 1-1 draw against Colchester United at the start of February, an injury that is expected to keep him out of action for up to six months.

McAlister is now off the crutches and believes he is ahead of schedule, but reluctantly admitted he won’t see any action until pre-season at the earliest.

“It’s killing me,” he said. “You come in here every morning and you see the boys heading out to training and you’re coming in the other way to the gym.

“It’s the same on a Saturday when you come in on a match day. You come in early for a bit in the gym and that’s you finished just as the boys are going out to play.

“Mentally it’s been very, very challenging. But I’m hoping that’s me over the worst of it now.

“I’m off the crutches as of last week and I’m now starting to step it up in the gym a little bit on the bike, the rower and the cross trainer. I’m starting to do some leg weights as well so the progression is not too bad.

“I haven’t spoken to the doctor for a couple of weeks but the last time I spoke to him I was slightly ahead of where I should be. But obviously at the same time you have to be careful.

“I had a slim hope that I would be back before the season finished. Although I haven’t spoken to the specialist again, that doesn’t seem realistic. So I need to get that out of my head and make sure I am ready over the summer to go for pre-season.

“Dan the sports scientist has been in the gym with me when I’ve been doing the leg stuff which he’s been absolutely brilliant with. So I think I’m slightly ahead of where I should be. I just hope it keeps progressing that way.

“I was fortunate it was a clean break and none of the bones had moved out of line. The specialist said he could have pinned it but he suggested letting it heal naturally so I’ve been very fortunate in terms of that.”

The Scot has been kept busy during his time on the sidelines by producing scouting reports on Pool’s opposition – something the midfielder has enjoyed.

“It’s been good,” he said. “I know how busy Adam (Whiteside), the analyst, is so maybe I can just bring another set of eyes. If he wants me to watch a game I always can and maybe take some notes.

“In terms of games here on a Saturday, I sit up in the stand and try and help out with the analysis of the game. It makes you feel like you’re still part of what’s going on.

“It’s extremely hard watching but it makes it slightly easier when I see how well we’re doing and how good the results have been.”