The 19-year-old suffered a horrific leg break during the club’s Sectional League Cup defeat to Blantyre Victoria back in August. A broken fibula, cracked tibia and damaged ankle ligaments came as a result of an innocuous looking tackle and cast doubt over whether he would don the blue and white stripes this season.

Two managers have come and gone since Rafferty last kicked a ball in frustration, but he insists he is ready to go under the tutelage of new boss Robert Downs.

He told Barrhead Sport: “I’m feeling not bad, I have come a long way and I feel like I could be back playing by the end of next month. I’ve been training with the boys for the past month or so now and I was doing a lot of work on my own before I came back in.

“It’s been a long journey, I didn’t want to rush back but I just want to show what I can do.

“I still feel I can contribute between now and the end of the season if I am given the opportunity. That’s up to the manager now, and he is experienced enough to know when I’m ready.” Looking back at that fateful Tuesday night in August, Rafferty bears no grudge over the tackle that has ruled him out of the reckoning for so long of this season.

Arthurlie would go on to be knocked out the tournament by Davie Greig’s side but the focus following the game was the extent of the midfielder’s injury, which required him to be rushed to hospital.

Rafferty said: “I can’t even begin to explain what happened, I’ve planted my leg and let the ball run through me and the guy has just caught me and that was it.

“There was no malice involved, just one of those things that happen in football and I can have no complaints.

“I have never had any injuries before, I broke my arm as a kid but in 15 years playing football I have never had a bad injury.

“Obviously mentally it may be hard to overcome and it may cross my mind from time to time, but being back in training and around the boys will help me with that.” Nearing full fitness, it is clear from Rafferty’s voice that he is desperate to force himself into Robert Downs’ plans for the remainder of the season. Conceding that he doubted his future at times due to the managerial upheaval surrounding the club, Rafferty admits it was a relief to receive the backing of Downs when he came in.

He added: “When Craig McEwan came in, he told me not to worry as I was part of his plans. When he left I was a bit worried as someone coming in who didn’t know who I was could count against me.

“But Robert Downs coming in has been a real boost to my confidence. He knows me as a player and knows what I have been through and that can only be a good thing. He has also brought in Alan Waddell, who was my under-19s coach at Stranraer so I’m really chuffed he has joined the club.” Unable to work his job as a greenkeeper at Mar Hall Golf Course in Bishopton due to the cast, it has been difficult for Rafferty at times, however he admitted the support of the fans and fellow players has helped him through the bad days.

He said: “It has been really difficult for me at times but I have had to try and remain positive. I wasn’t able to work for four months and I was just trying to keep myself going, but it could be really boring.

“The support I have had has been fantastic. All the Stranraer boys were fantastic, and their manager Stevie Aitken got in touch when I was in the hospital. Stephen Miller and a lot of the fans have been a massive help. That was a big boost.

“I think now that I can be back within the month. From there it is all upto the manager.”