Raith Rovers: How summer signing Paul Hanlon stayed upbeat during injury layoff

"There was obviously the frustration part of not being involved,” 34-year-old Hibernian legend Hanlon told Raith TV. “As a player you always want to help the team and try and get wins.

"I had done pre-season and felt like I was falling behind in terms of fitness as well.

"It was a tough time but I’m delighted to be through the back of it now and be back in the team.

"I was quite lucky in terms of the injury in that I could still do a bit of running so I felt like I wasn’t losing too much.

"The sharpness that comes with the football training is a bit different but in general fitness I could keep up.

"And the work I did in pre-season I probably didn’t lose too much of that. Hopefully that stands me in good stead in the coming weeks.”

After 16 years at Hibs, a dramatic start to Hanlon’s time in Kirkcaldy saw gaffer Ian Murray sacked one game into the new league season.

"We lost the manager and we were all disappointed about that,” he added. “But as a player you have to refocus quickly because games come thick and fast, you’re constantly being judged in every game.

“I’ve had a bit of a frustrating time in terms of being injured. Coming to a new club you want to settle in quickly and get the games going.

"But I’m back to full fitness now and ready to kick on.

"Once we get boys back from injuries and suspensions I think we’ll be in a much stronger place.”