WORCESTER City’s Andy Gallinagh admits he is no closer to knowing his return date.

The ex-Cheltenham Town professional damaged his lateral collateral ligament — a cord-like part of the outside of the knee — in a 2-0 home win over AFC Wulfrunians on September 5.

Gallinagh was immediately stretchered off with City’s management initially hopeful of a comeback after a couple of weeks.

Six weeks later and the 33-year-old revealed he had endured being “knocked back a couple of times” but now has fresh hope following recent progress.

“It is an unusual one for me, I have never had a knee problem before,” said Gallinagh.

“A few weeks ago I felt ready to increase the progress of my rehabilitation but the knee gave way again.

“I am running in straight lines now and can do strength work on it. Trying anything more makes me a bit nervous but it seems to be getting better — just slowly.

“The knee generally feels very weak. Doing anything other than running in straight lines or when my leg goes into awkward positions I become aware something is not right.

“It is a slow process. Ideally I could do with a scan to give me the full picture of what I have done.

“I am just trying to be positive. I have been doing as much work as possible to strengthen the area around it without causing pain and that’s all I can do at the minute.

“I couldn’t put a timeframe on when I might be back. I would like to say a couple of weeks but I have to take it as it comes and see how the rehabilitation goes.

“I am not very good being on the sidelines. I am helping Ash (Vincent, assistant manager) while the gaffer (John Snape) is away but I want to be on the pitch, playing and training.

“It is frustrating but I know I have to keep my head and do the right things. Hopefully I will be back sooner rather than later, helping the boys continue their good form.”

Gallinagh joined from Stratford Town and came straight in to start all five games prior to his injury as City embarked on what has become a 14-match unbeaten run.

“There were a few things up in the air (at Stratford), I had a holiday just before the season and didn’t play when it started,” he added.

“As soon as I knew I would not be featuring in the first few games I spoke to Snapper and took my chance here.

“We were five games unbeaten and I was enjoying it with a good set of lads. It was unfortunate to get the injury the way I did.”