JAMES MCPAKE has spoken of his pride at the way one of his Pars stars has dealt with injury setbacks as he closes in on a return to action.

Midfielder Matty Todd has been missing from the team since sustaining a fractured collarbone during the club's first pre-season friendly against East Fife in June.

The influential 23-year-old was restricted to just 21 competitive appearances, in which he scored four goals, last term having suffered from two separate injuries.

An ankle problem, which required surgery and kept him out from July until November, was then followed by a hamstring issue, which caused him to miss further matches in January and February.

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Those came after Todd had his appendix removed, and then needed an operation on his nose, as Dunfermline ended their successful League One campaign last year.

He went under the knife for his latest problem and, after revealing to Press Sport that the player is "two or three weeks away" from making a comeback, Athletic manager McPake spoke of his admiration for Todd.

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"Sometimes you say you're proud of the players when they give a good performance, or they work hard for the team when they're playing, but I think it's the first time I've ever said it about a player that I'm proud of the way he's handled his injuries," he explained.

"I know, first hand, just how difficult being injured is. It's similar to Kane Ritchie-Hosler last year. As much as I've had injuries in my career, it wasn't to the degree Kane had them last year, when it was three in succession.

Matty Todd is nearing a return for Dunfermline.Matty Todd is nearing a return for Dunfermline. (Image: Craig Brown.)

"Similar to Matty now, he gets back, he gets another injury that results in another surgery, but just to see the boy and how he works hard. He's doing so much for his own body to get it right that hopefully this time when he gets back - and hopefully I'm not cursing it - we get him for a longer period of time.

"He's certainly, in my opinion, someone that when every opposition look at our team, I don't think I'd be wrong in saying that they'd be delighted Matty Todd isn't in the team. I don't mean they'll be saying they're glad he's injured, but any team playing us, they don't want to face Matty Todd.

"That's the biggest compliment I can give him.

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"It's weird when you say it about an injured player, but I'm just proud of the way he's handled these injuries, and I'm desperate for him to get back and do well, because he certainly deserves it.

"It's not been easy for him, but the way he's handled it has been exceptional."

Todd being back in the Pars squad will provide a lift for supporters, and McPake is certain it will also boost his team-mates, as he believes they are a better side with him in it.

"I think the reason he is so popular with fans, and team-mates and staff alike, is what he offers you in training and on the pitch," the boss added.

"I think we all see that when Matty's in our team, we're a far better team. Obviously, there will be times when you've not got your players that you rely on week in, week out, or your match winners as such, but certainly when he's in our team, we're a better team.

"That's why I think everyone - supporters, players, staff - we all appreciate him that much."