The 31-year-old had battled through nine months of
gruelling rehabilitation after suffering a
career-threatening cruciate ligament injury and was
fit for the start of the new season. But his
comeback was brought to a shuddering halt at the end
of September when he was crocked again in training.
Ferdy said:
"My recent injury was the best thing that could have
happened tome because I now feel a lot better than
when I first returned to training.
"The
four weeks I had out allowed me to rest and I had to
start all over again and that made a big difference.
I now feel totally different. My match fitness is
not there yet but I am not having the problems in my
legs that I used to have.
"It was a blessing. The problem in my legs was
something I didn't know how to deal with and I was
very concerned as my mobility was affected.
"When I first picked up the injury I knew it
would allow me to rest but I did not think I'd feel
as good as I do now.
"I'm not even sure how I got the injury. I must
have slipped and I landed on my knee and it took all
my body weight.
"When it happened gaffer Jim Jefferies just said,
'Let's go home' as he didn't want any more players
hurt.
"But I'm glad it happened because now I'm back in
training and I feel totally different. I feel I can
now train the way I used to train.
"It is just a relief that after training I am
able to walk without pain.
"Even in the mornings before I started training I
would be stiff but now that has gone.
"It used to be a problem and I didn't know how to
deal with it - even the gaffer and the physio didn't
know how to deal with it. We didn't really have a
clue what was happening.
"But now it is a big relief that I don't have
that problem."
Fernandez didn't play for four weeks but has
appeared twice for the reserves and could be back in
the squad for this weekend's clash with Motherwell.
"This is the second injury I've had since I've
been at Kilmarnock but I guess I got this one
because I had been out for so long. Until you have a
run of games and been back training it is easy to
pick up other injuries.
"Your body needs to be used to the amount of work
you're doing on the training pitch. Now I need to go
all the way with training and playing, not to have
any more problems.
"I've been back training for three weeks and have
played for the reserves which has helped my fitness.
"Now I no longer have any problems and there six
months of the season left. Now I want to play and
give 100 per cent as I owe that to my team-mates,
the gaffer and the supporters."
