Jenkins targets festive return from knee injury

But the influential Ballymena United skipper is confident he will be back in action ahead of the busy Christmas period.

The Scot, who celebrates his 31st birthday this weekend, had limped off after injuring his left knee in the first half of the recent 4-1 defeat at Coleraine and the sight of him limping heavily while attending Friday night’s home match against Glentoran had given rise to fears of a long-term injury.

“I had an MRI scan on Friday and hopefully I’ll get the results of that today or tomorrow,” Jenkins told Times Sport.

“I’m looking at maybe two months out so I would like to think I’ll be back for Christmas but it’s a guessing game at the moment.

“Gordy (McCartney, United’s sports therapist) gave me a test on Friday night to check my cruciate but I don’t think that was ever really a concern.

“Where I’m getting the pain, everything points to a medial ligament tear – how bad the tear in remains to be seen.

“I did my right medial about five years ago at Morton and was out for seven weeks with it.

“It’s just one of those things. I’ve watched the video of how it happened and it was so innocuous it’s untrue – I just ran into the back of Stephen Lowry and as I’ve landed, my foot has planted and forced my knee in and that’s when I felt the pop.

“At the time it wasn’t really sore but you just think ‘that doesn’t feel right’.

“I must have played upwards of 500 games throughout my career so I’ve been fairly lucky with injuries – I’ve never had what you would call an extended period out of the game.

“I would hope to get good news this week and that it will be a question of resting up and then rehab.

“When I did the other knee it was in a block tackle but from the experience of being out with that, I know what’s required.

“I’ll be back and forward for treatment. I’m in good hands with Gordy – what he says goes- and I was fortunate enough that I maintained good relations with the physios at Stranraer and Morton so those guys are only a phone call away if I need anything back in Scotland,” added Jenkins.

Meanwhile, United have cancelled the contract of striker Jordan Baker.

The former Portadown frontman has been on the fringes of the first team because of injury this season and manager Glenn Ferguson said: “It 
just hasn’t worked out for us and Jordan.”

Ferguson hopes to have central defender Johnny Taylor and midfielder Gavin Taggart available after injuries for Saturday’s trip to Portadown (3pm).

Seven Towers Supporters’ Club transport leaves Henry Street car park at 1.30pm, with the club’s Joker promotion being drawn beforehand.