Leanne Ross, the Glasgow City captain, expects to return from injury in time for the Uefa Women's Champions League last-16 tie against FC Zurich next month.
Club officials feared she would not play again this year after breaking a bone in her right foot in August's qualifying match against Glentoran, but the experienced Scotland midfielder was determined to return to action.
"If I had any doubts I wouldn't have been pushing myself so hard during the recovery process," the 33-year-old pointed out. "I've been in the gym every day since the operation, so I always had the focus that I would come back before the end of the season.
"I'm quite close to a return now. I had my consultant's appointment the other week and everything is heading in the right direction. I should be okay in a couple of weeks."
For spells at the Excelsior Stadium on Wednesday it looked as if Ross's hard work might be in vain - at least as far as the Champions League was concerned. Medyk Konin, holding a 2-0 first leg lead, had ample opportunities to score the away goal which would have made City's task almost impossible, but poor finishing and a fine performance by home goalkeeper Lee Alexander allowed the Scottish champions to go through.
Alexander saved her best for the final minute of regulation time, denying Medyk captain Anna Gawronska the goal which would have killed off the tie. Instead, Denise O'Sullivan scored four minutes into extra time.
"Lee was fantastic all night," Ross said. "Watching from the stand is something I never want to go through again. It's easier when you are on the park."
Zurich, like City, were among the top seeds when the last-32 draw was made and the Swiss made short work of the Croatian champions, Osijek, winning 7-2 on aggregate. They host the first leg against the Scottish champions on November 8 or 9, with the return in Airdrie on November 12.
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