Spar treatment

James Dayton

JAMES Dayton could have been forgiven for wincing when he was told Athletic were heading to a boxing gym for training this week.

But thankfully for the man recovering from four broken ribs and a punctured lung, he didn’t have to endure any more body shots.

Athletic’s new winger (24) was playing for Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premier League in April when he suffered the painful injury after being clattered to the ground.

Dayton was given oxygen when carried off the field against Ross County and morphine in the ambulance and later in A & E.

He even found speaking too painful during his stay in hospital.

Thirteen weeks on, punches to the affected area — now fully healed — were off the agenda at the early-morning session when Athletic’s squad took to the Oldham Boxing and Personal Development Club on Greaves Street.

“It was an annoying injury as you can’t do anything with bones,” said Dayton, who turned down a three-year offer from Kilmarnock to sign for Athletic on a two-year deal in May.

“It is just a case of resting up. I couldn’t do anything at all until three weeks ago — and even that was just running.

“Monday was my first real contact session. I feel fine, a little bit achey in the mornings, but I expected that.

“It (the boxing) is different, but it is good hard work. It isn’t silly. It is what you are looking for: sharp and of high intensity. That’s perfect, really.”

Punch bags, press-ups, sit-ups and feet movement were the order of the day at the gym. The session started at 7.30am and was followed by two stints on grass.

Dayton will continue to work hard in the build-up to a possible first game for Athletic against Dinamo Bucharest on Friday night.

He added. “If I play it will obviously be my first proper contact in a match for a long time.

“It would be good to get a few minutes and open up my lungs again.”

Dayton is keen to recreate the sort of form which had then-Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels tipping the former Crystal Palace prospect for an England call-up.

“They are a great bunch of lads here and I am excited about what we can do this season,” Dayton said.

“I just need to play and do what I did up there in Scotland.”