Aaron McGowan 'feels great' after coming through first league start unscathed

Defender Aaron McGowan is now ‘fully focused’ on regaining his form from last season after surviving 77 minutes without any problems on his first league start of the season at the weekend.

After six months out with a serious knee injury, the right-back has gradually inched his way back to full fitness through a combination of training and practice games, as well as a couple of cameo appearances.

Manager Jon Brady deemed him fit enough to start against Newport County on Saturday and he came through unscathed before being replaced by Liam Cross in the closing stages. His focus now is to regain match sharpness.

"I feel great,” said McGowan. “There has been no reaction to it at all and I think that's testament to the work which has gone on behind the scenes to play 80 minutes on your first league start after so long out.

"I think it's just about sharpness now. Fitness-wise, I said to Col (Colin Calderwood) after the game that I actually felt fine but it was more the actual sharpness.”

On how long it might take him to get back to 100 per cent, the 26-year-old added: "I don't want to put a timescale on it because you have to be ready to go and I want to get sharp as soon as possible and Saturday was a massive step for me.I felt I did well. For my first game back, I would have taken it.

"I won a lot of headers and a lot of defensive duels. I was not my usual self going forward but I'm fully focused on getting back to where I was.

"I know where I was numbers-wise in terms of all of the other full-backs in this division last season and it was where I wanted to be so I know I'm fully capable at this level and hopefully I can help the team going forward.”