RICKI Lamie has targeted a return to action this weekend after scans revealed the injury to his Achilles tendon is not as bad as first feared.

Lamie picked up a seemingly innocuous knock against Queen’s Park before missing the next two Betfred Cup fixtures against Motherwell and Edinburgh City. 

But after a visit to the hospital for a check-up on his foot, the defender is optimistic about returning in short order.

Having been unable to take part in training over the last week, the 24-year-old will have to work hard to rehab the swelling. 

But he is hopeful that he’ll be able to play some part against Dumbarton in this weekend’s Championship opener at the Rock.

He exclusively told the Tele: “I went for a scan for a second opinion, so we were double checking if there was any damage on the tendon. 

“It came back conclusively that there was no damage there, so it was the news I wanted to hear.

“It’s dealing with the swelling and the bruising so I can get back to a point where I’m running again, getting back into training and hopefully that will be this week. It’s a sensitive area to injure, so it was good to get things clarified and know that I just need to manage it. I’d like to be back as soon as possible, I’ve only been out of training about two weeks so luckily it’s a bit of a speedy recovery. 

“I’ve done all the fitness work pre-season so I shouldn’t be lacking in that area.

“I’ll see how I progress this week, how I manage and if I’m able to step it up day-by-day. If I can be involved on Saturday, brilliant, but if not I’d like to say 100 per cent the following week. 

“That’s my goal and to be back training just to at least be involved this week would be ideal.”

Lamie was pleased to see his team-mates impress in his absence against Edinburgh City on Saturday afternoon and he reckons the competition — even from Connor McManus, who is not a recognised defender — can only be good for the squad.

He added: “At any level for any team it’s always good to have healthy competition, so it’s good. Obviously Thomas O’Ware is trying to make his recovery and I’m hoping to be back as soon as, but the boys who have come in I think have done well.

“With it being Jack Iredale’s first game I thought he did well and I’m a big fan of Connor, especially playing out of position I thought he did well.

“The two of them are versatile and that can only be good for the squad. It should relieve the manager of some stress as well, I’m sure.”