Steve Simmons has been involved in football long enough to be philosophical about the persistent injury that threatens his participation in Sunday's Petrofac Training Challenge Cup final but there is always room for a little hope.

"I think this has maybe come too soon for me," said the 33-year-old, who has had hip and back problems since a previous meeting with cup final opponents Livingston at the start of February.

"It's been killing me for five or six weeks now, but you never know. We'll see how it goes this week."

With the club also battling to retain their Championship status he knows the bigger priority is to be ready to perform effectively when he does return.

"I'll give it until it's all right," said the midfielder who is with his fourth club since an initial eight year spell with Hearts at the start of his career.

"There's no point in just going out there and taking a place and limping about if I can't do what I can do, so I'll just need to wait and see how I go in training.

"I'm not daft. I know my own body now. If it's not right it's not right and I wouldn't jeopardise a place in the team for that.

"I'm trying to get back before the end of the season, that's my main aim and it just so happens the final's on Sunday. It's not that it doesn't matter to me, I just want to get back before the end of the season and the sooner the better.

"I've been trying for the past few weeks to try to push myself to get back because I've missed a couple of good outings, so I'll give it to the last minute but I'm not going to jeopardise the team just to try to make me fit when I'm not fit."

In a 17 year senior career there have, inevitably, been disappointments before.

Injuries cost him European appearances at Tynecastle, while a combination of injury and suspension meant he missed the semi-final, semi-final replay and final when then club Dunfermline got past Hibs before losing out to Celtic in the Scottish Cup eight years ago.

Consequently he knows that all concerned must relish the opportunity that presents itself.

"It's a fantastic day," said Simmons.

"I don't think anybody expected us to be in the final with the teams that were in it this year and the results we've had, especially the one against Rangers was fantastic. To come back from two nothing down it just shows the character in the side so I hope the fans come out in force and get behind the team.

"Any trophy, our guys and I'm sure the boys at Livingston, they'll probably not get another chance to win a cup. This might be their only chance. Fair play to the two teams, nobody really expected it to be Livingston and Alloa. They've done well to get there and I'm sure they'll both want to win it."

Naturally, seeing off Rangers in such a dramatic semi-final, coming back from two-nil down to shock their visitors, has encouraged belief within the squad that this may be Alloa's year, but their most recent experience was a reminder that it will be a proper battle for the Easter Sunday silverware.

"You beat one of the biggest sides in the tournament and you've got to fancy your chances, but we've seen how the games have been with Livingston this season," said Simmons.

"We played them Saturday there and it was two each, we played them at home and it was nil nil. They've been very tight and I'm sure Sunday will be the same."