CHRIS McPhee has handed Terras’ fans a huge boost by revealing that his foot injury is not as bad as first feared – he is even hoping to be fit for this Saturday’s return to Burnham.

The midfielder originally thought he could be out for up to six weeks with the problem, diagnosed as metatarsalgia, which caused him to miss Weymouth’s last two games.

However, after plenty of rest and a course of anti-inflammatories, vitamins and supplements, McPhee is ready to make his comeback a lot sooner than expected.

“I had this chronic pain in my right foot when I woke up last Wednesday and couldn’t walk on it,” McPhee told Echosport. “I was scratching my head as to what it was.

“Playing football on hard grounds can give you some pain in your feet during the course of a season and it usually disappears after a couple of days.

“But for some reason it flared up last week and was worse than I’d ever had it before.

“I had an X-ray to make sure I hadn’t fractured it and was then told it was a condition called metatarsalgia, which I’d never heard of.

“It’s an inflammation of the soft tissue and is common in people who play impact sports.

“I’ve been resting and icing it, and taking some medication, so hopefully I’ll be fit and available for Saturday.”

He continued: “I’ve been in football for 15 or 16 years now and I’ve never experienced anything like I did last Wednesday.

“It feels like you’ve got a lump of plasticine in the pad of your foot and my problem must have built up over time.”

McPhee is looking forward to getting back on the pitch and, with the Terras limbering up for their crack at league leaders Poole next Tuesday, the experienced midfielder’s return couldn’t come at a much better time.

“It’s frustrating to miss any games,” he added. “I was listening to the penalty shoot-out at Burnham on Tuesday and was disappointed I couldn’t be there.

“Although I’ve taken penalties before I’ve never taken one in a shoot-out.

“The lads got through with a 100 per cent record but I would have loved to be a part of it.

“I’ve missed the last two games so it will be great to get back amongst it, and it’s always good to be part of a successful team.”