PLYMOUTH Albion’s Australian back Marc Koteczky is hoping he can finally kick-start his season after successfully making his comeback from injury against Rosslyn Park.
Koteczky played the final 25 minutes of Albion’s narrow 16-15 defeat at home to last season’s runners-up.
The 25-year-old has been struggling all summer with plantar fasciitis of his heel.
He made one replacement appearance in pre-season against Bedford but suffered a set-back and missed Albion’s opening league match against Richmond.
However, he is hoping the injury is behind him now.
“It was good to get through Saturday’s game injury free finally,” said Koteczky.
“I think I got about 30 minutes in the end, which was about what I was after.
“It was just good to be out there again.
“It’s now about managing it and trying to get through full weeks of training.”
He added: “It’s been like having a nail stuck in your heel. It’s not a big injury, but we are always on our feet so it is hard to rest it.
“But I think I have got over it now.”
Koteczky, who can play fly-half, centre or full-back, nearly inspired Albion to a sensational comeback against Rosslyn Park. He came on when they were 13-3 down to the London side.
“We were in it at the end there,” said Koteczky.
“It was a bit up and down all game. We made errors then they made errors and I think it was always going to be tight near the end.
“It is very frustrating because we could have won that, but I’m sure they’ll be frustrated as well as they will think they could have won by a bit more.
“It is frustrating to be so close and not get four points, but we’ll take the bonus point.”
Albion have been handed a really tough start to life in National One. Having already faced Richmond and Rosslyn Park, they now face the long trek to Hull Ionians this coming Saturday and then face Fylde at home, Coventry away, Esher at home and Blaydon away.
This week’s 700-mile round trip to East Yorkshire will be Plymouth’s first away match of the season.
“We have not experienced it yet, but in a way we are looking forward to it,” said Koteczky. “It will be good to have a trip with the lads, but we definitely want to come home with four points.”
On the tough start to the campaign, Koteczky said: “It’s good to play some of the top teams early on as it can give us an idea of where we are at and what we can work on throughout the season.
“It is still early days. It is going to be a long season, so if we can get the tough ones out of the way early then, like I said, it gives us something to work on.
“A team coming down from the Championships like ourselves, we want to be up there. A lot of teams probably look at us as underdogs but we want to go out there and be a threat.”