It will be like signing a new player when John Boyle returns from injury.

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That's the view of Airdrieonians boss Jimmy Boyle as he looks forward to welcoming the 26-year-old back to first-team action. 

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Whinhall ace John scored 10 goals last season but his campaign came to a premature end after he sustained knee ligament damage.

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Further assessment this summer has confirmed the former Auchinleck Talbot striker requires surgery and his absence is a huge blow.

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Boss Boyle can't wait for him to get healthy and be available for selection again.

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However, he says the important thing is that John is 100 per cent fit when he does return.

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The manager said: "He will have an operation and hopefully that will happen in the next week.

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"Once they open him up, we will see the full extent of the damage.

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"He will be a big miss for us. I'm very hopeful that he will be back before Christmas. That's what we're hoping.

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"But we have aimed for then. We didn't want to aim for two or three months down the line.

"We've said the most important thing is that he is back fit and ready.

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"It will be like having a new player when he does return."