They batter, clatter and blooter away at different ball games but Russell Anderson and Paul Lawrie have both had their aches and pains to deal with over the past few months.

"We were just discussing which one of us is crocked more and I think Russell is winning that hands down at the minute," said Lawrie with a smile as the Aberdonian duo hosted a joint press conference in the Granite City to promote the Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Matchplay Championship.

Anderson's gammy knee has left the Aberdeen club captain on the sidelines since last August. At 36, the former Scotland defender knows the clock is ticking. This extended period of injury time as been a real scunner for Anderson. With his contract set to expire, it appears that it's crunch time as far as his future at Pittodrie is concerned.

"I have put a lot of thought into it," said Anderson, who is in his second spell with his home city club following stints down south with Sunderland., Plymouth Argyle, Burnley and Derby County. "Whether I will be a part of the squad or not will become a lot clearer over the next two or three weeks. I have loved having my time back at the club. I appreciate I have not played a lot this season and it will come down to a conversation I have with the manager. It will be a two-way dialogue because that is how these things go. We will just have to wait and see."

Since Anderson picked up his injury against St Johnstone at the start of the campaign, he has watched the dandy Dons give Celtic a decent run for their money in the SPFLPremiership as Derek McInnes's side moved towards their best finish in the top flight for 21 years.

"I'm fit again now but it has been a really frustrating season, especially as the team have been doing so well," added Anderson, who was continuing his rehabilitation last night in an under-20s match against Hearts. "You want to be out the on pitch, you want to be contributing, playing some kind of part. I'm finally back to the stage where I'm playing again. I've had one game for the under-20s. Hopefully I can get some game time for the first team before the season finishes."

Fitba' and golf tend to go hand in hand. Team bonding sessions often revolve around a thrash about on the links. "There are some players you wouldn't let anywhere near a golf course, mind you," noted Anderson.

There are probably some footballers that shouldn't be let loose on a football pitch either. The nature of Anderson's injury has meant he has even missed out on those golf days that do plenty for the morale, both individually and collectively. "It is one of those situations when you are injured then obviously things change and you are not allowed to play as much golf because of your rehabilitation," said Anderson, who plays off a handicap of 17. "It's not ideal to be out on the course when you are coming back from injury. This season I have only managed to play one round. That has been difficult but the season has almost drawn to a close and I am back fit now. The clubs are definitely out now and I would like to play a fair bit over the close season. Golf can make for a good team bonding session, allowing us to get away from it all. We spend enough time with each other, you'd think we'd want to go our separate ways, but we enjoy being together on the golf course."

And as for the bandit in the dressing room? "I would actually have to put that on Tony Docherty, the assistant manager, who plays a lot lower than the 16 he claims," said Anderson with a grin.