VETERAN goalkeeper Andy Dibble has received the green light from Wrexham manager Denis Smith to extend his career for at least another 12 months.
And the much-travelled former Wales international, who broke his arm at Peterborough United in March, is looking forward to his 22nd season in the game with renewed enthusiasm.
Smith said yesterday that the 39-year old keeper had proved beyond doubt that he was fully recovered from the potentially career-threatening injury and would be completing the paperwork on a further 12-month deal this week.
"He's much further forward in terms of fitness than I would have anticipated after what was a bad break," said Smith. "When we talked of extending his contract it was always subject to him proving his fitness and we saw against Liverpool last week that he's back, so I'm delighted that is the case."
Dibble, who is likely to play in Saturday's friendly against Hereford United at Edgar Street, said he had never contemplated a forced retirement.
"When the break happened and I saw the state of my arm, I had some initial fears that my career was over, but as soon as I woke up after the operation and the surgeon said I would make a complete recovery I was determined to make sure I would carry on playing," he said..
"Quite soon after the operation I was on a fitness programme designed to strengthen the arm and build up the muscle. During the close-season I did a lot of swimming and I've worked hard in every session we've had in pre-season training.
"I was always very positive and, while it was hard-going to begin with, it's getting easier every day and the game against Liverpool was just what I needed. But I'm pleased to hear that the gaffer has seen enough to go ahead with the new contract.
"We had agreed on another year before I broke my arm but I fully understood his decision to wait until I was fit and the way I'm feeling right now I won't be making any decisions on my future until the end of the season.
"If anything, breaking my arm has made me more determined to extend my career for as long as possible."
Smith is hoping to take a near full-strength squad to Edgar Street at the weekend, with only wing-back Carlos Edwards and midfielder Matt Crowell definitely ruled out. Edwards will make a date this week for knee surgery and Crowell, who underwent an ankle operation a fortnight ago, is still a month away from resuming training.
"I'm expecting Steve Roberts, Dean Bennett and Alex Smith to rejoin the rest in full training tomorrow and Chris Armstrong has already recovered from a slightly tight Achilles tendon last week," said Smith.
"Levi Mackin has not trained because he has a slight strain which was the result of too many games. We'll work hard again this week but it will be controlled, unlike in a match situation when it's impossible to control the pace of the game. That's when injuries are likely to happen and we possibly played one game too many last week."
