Russell Anderson is looking to return to Aberdeen but knows he has to get back to full fitness first.
The 33-year old defender has left Derby County by mutual consent after struggling with hamstring injuries for the past few years and is now training with the Dons - the club he used to captain.
Although Anderson would love to again be in an Aberdeen shirt, he is aware that regaining fitness and shaking off his ongoing injury woes is required before he plays anywhere.
"I've thought, 'I'm over this' lots of times and had a good pre-season and broken down again.
"I'd love to keep playing. I know there will be people out there who say, 'He's had too many injuries' so I just want to prove my fitness first and foremost and anything after that is a bonus.
"I am under no illusions that I need to prove myself all over again. I have a bit to go before I will be playing again. We're talking months rather than weeks.
"At the end of the day I'd like to play but sometimes that can be taken out of your hands.
"I'll use the facilities at Aberdeen to continue my rehabilitation. I know the physios at the club and I have faith in them.
"Everyone knows I'm from Aberdeen and the plan was always to come home at some stage but it's maybe come a bit quicker than I thought.""I've been injured a lot and let down too many times," said Anderson who left Pittodrie for Sunderland in 2007.
