MOTHERWELL defender Jake Carroll has revealed he is taking baby steps back to full fitness.  

The 28-year-old is recovering from a devastating ruptured achilles sustained during a breathless Scottish Cup exit against St Mirren in February. 

He swiftly underwent surgery to repair the damage and was confined to a protective boot. 

However, Carroll was back in specially altered training shoes last week and admits he has been forced to learn how to walk all over again. 

He said: “As of last Monday, which was eight weeks since the operation, I’ve started walking in trainers again - which is the first time in a long time. 

“I’ve come out of the protective boot and can wear trainers with a small heel raise in them because I can’t fully flatten my foot at the moment. 

“It’s a slow, gradual process and will take a few more months but it’s a positive to be out of that boot. 

“I’m walking a bit weird at the moment - I need to get used to that. I’m like a new-born baby at the moment, practicing walking and taking little steps everywhere! 

“I’ve got to keep strengthening the calf. That area has dwindled and is a bit thin. Then I work on the mobility.”

Following his injury against the Buddies, Carroll was given the galling news that his season was over and he would be confined to a watching brief for the rest of the campaign - a role he admittedly hates.

However, he missed just four matches before the Scottish football campaign was put on ice due to the coronavirus outbreak and, with ongoing uncertainty regarding when games will resume, Carroll could feasibly be in contention for their next match. 

And, speaking in purely footballing terms, Carroll concedes the hiatus could prove a helpful one on his road to recovery. 

He continued: “It’s been a blessing in disguise in a strange way. 

“I haven’t missed that many games, which is something I thought I would really struggle with. I missed a couple of big ones - Hearts away - but it hasn’t worked out too badly in terms of timing and hopefully when everything is back up and running, I shouldn’t be too far away. 

“I’ve told the gaffer I’ll be back for the next game!”

Should the Premiership campaign be called, as the lower leagues already have, Motherwell will secure a third-placed finish and could be handed a place in the Europa League. 

Reflecting on his first campaign at Fir Park after joining the club from Cambridge last summer, Carroll believes the Well would merit that accolade. 

Speaking on Motherwell’s official Instagram page, the former Republic of Ireland under-18 internationalist said: “If you look at how we have matched up against most teams, we have either beaten them or come close - so we fully deserve to be third.”