TEN seconds was all it took for a London specialist to diagnose his hernia problem and now Michael Paton is determined to make up for lost time.

The influential midfielder has endured a frustrating period on the sidelines and has been restricted to just two appearances from the bench so far this season, including a 13-minute cameo in Saturday’s Fife derby.

Paton, who played 41 times in all competitions for the Pars last term, edged closer to full fitness by playing 90 minutes and bagging the winner in the under-20s’ 2-1 victory at St Johnstone on Tuesday night.

He is keen to be in contention for a start against former club Queen of the South on Saturday and told Press Sport: “At the start, I didn’t really know what the injury was. I had a swell on my groin and I took two or three weeks at the end of the season to calm it down but when I started my own running in the summer, I still felt it.

“I phoned Kenny (Murray, physio) and he brought in a specialist. I went down to London and he diagnosed it after 10 seconds. I’ve had a hernia before but it was a different feeling and you can play through them but it got to the stage where I couldn’t give 100 per cent on the park. I had to bite the bullet and get an operation; these things happen but it was frustrating.

“That’s been about nine weeks since the operation but I should be ready and available to select and I’m itching at the bit to try and get back in. For any player it is rubbish sitting on the side but it’s great that the manager has kept me in about the boys and involved.

“I played 60 minutes for the 20s, then 70, 75 and 90, so I’ll be pushing to get back in the team.”

He continued: “On Saturday I thought we controlled the majority of the game but I think our heads dropped when they got the goal.

“We can’t do that; we need to get the ball back and play but we will learn from it.

“In games where we went behind, like at Ayr, or lost, we’ve shown character and that we can bounce back. We’ve got players who can take it on the chin and it was just a wee blip on Saturday.

“The boys are looking forward to Saturday and won’t feel sorry for ourselves. It’s a big game, a test and the boys are ready to go.

“Queens have got a good squad and I’m good mates with Derek Lyle and Higgy (Chris Higgins). Del’s a goalscorer, even if he is a year older than Santa!

“They’re a good passing team but we’ve got goals in us as well.

“If we’re still playing like against Dumbarton and Hibs then the boys will handle it well.”