FOLLOWING three months of frustration, Alan Walker-Harris has spoken of his delight as he steps up his recovery from a broken leg.

The Magpies’ keeper suffered the horrific injury 12 weeks ago in the dying stages of an impressive 1-0 win over Blue Square Bet Premier-bound Dartford.

But after months of inactivity, the 30-year-old was able to partake in his first form of exercise last week, following the long-awaited removal of his protective cast.

The ecstatic gloveman told Echosport: “The main thing was getting the cast off – it’ll just take a bit of getting used to now.

“Obviously I’ve still got my crutches but I’m starting to walk a bit without them. I’ve just been told to put as much weight on it as I can handle.

“I was swimming at 6.30am the morning after I had the cast off and it was nice to be able to do something after three months of not doing anything.

“I was absolutely shattered afterwards and there was even a 70-year-old woman swimming past me but it’s a start and you’ve got to start somewhere.”

Taking charge of Walker-Harris’ rehabilitation is club physio Damion Maston, and the former knows he is in safe hands.

He added: “Damion has devised my rehab programme and outlined what I need to do, so I will be starting that this week.

“I’ll also be looking to get in the pool every day as well to try and get some strength back. The swimming also helps with mobility as I need to get that back as well.

“There are going to be good days and bad days, it’s about building it up and trying to be sensible.

“You have to push yourself but not too much. You don’t want to rush things either, that’s why I’m trusting Damion to look after what I can and can’t do.

“He was good to me last season and I’m more than happy to put my trust in him.”

It is still unclear when the fans’ favourite will be fit enough to challenge new arrival Jason Matthews for the number one shirt. Walker-Harris has a date in mind but is keeping his cards close to his chest.

He said: “The doctors don’t usually give you timeframes, they are generally quite pessimistic and give you the worst-case scenario.

“They have to do that otherwise people can get disappointed if they are given the best-case scenario and it doesn’t pan out.

“I’m quite positive in my outlook on it. If you had listened to the doctors when I first got injured you wouldn’t have expected to see me next season.

“I have a little idea of when I think I will be back but I don’t want to say at the moment because I will only disappoint myself if I don’t make it.”

The stopper went on to add: “I’m quite happy with everything to be honest. There were times along the way and a few days when I got fed up with everything, but in general I don’t think I’ve been too bad.

“It’s going to be hard as every kind of movement hurts. I’m trying to take steps without the crutches and every step does hurt, but it’s not going to do any damage, it’s getting the body used to that movement again as my ankle has been stuck in the same position for three months.

“It’s not just the leg work that has to be done, there is also the fitness work. However, I have got time and I won’t rush it as I don’t want to break down – that would disappoint me more than anyone.”