Darlington keeper Andy Collett doesn't plan on getting a rest this summer as he sets his sights on a return to action next season.

Collett suffered two severe injuries and after missing a chunk of the action, he is determined to be back on August 10 for the big kick-off.

He was carried from the field after suffering three broken ribs against Lincoln in January, and on returning to training four weeks later the 28-year-old suffered a collapsed lung.

His place was taken by Keith Finch, then Chris Porter, but the former Middlesbrough keeper is determined to reclaim his jersey.

Unlike most of his teammates, who will be able to enjoy a longer summer break than usual because of the early finish to the season, Collett plans on working hard to regain fitness.

"Pre-season training begins on July 1 but I can't go straight back into it then and expect everything to be OK because I'll be shattered after ten minutes," explained the fans' favourite.

He added: "I missed the last two months of the season so I'm behind all the rest of the lads.

"I'll be getting out on my bike soon. I go to the gym anyway and I'll be doing a bit of running.

"The lung is OK now, but you've got to be careful and build your fitness up slowly."

Although he suffered the collapsed lung a month after the broken ribs, the injuries were not unconnected.

Collett explained: "After I came back from the broken ribs I did a bit of running in training, and then on Thursday before we went to Exeter I was doing a bit of diving and that's when I felt the lung.

"The doctor said the lung must have been damaged when I'd done the ribs.

"It happened when I clashed with David Cameron against Lincoln City. I don't think he did it on purpose because the ball was there to be won, but he's a big lad and puts himself about a bit."

A collapsed lung is an injury not to be taken lightly, but Collett admits, initially, he wasn't too perturbed.

"I wasn't really taking the situation that seriously, although my family were," he said.

"So it was a bit of a shock when the doctor was saying that you've only got two lungs and if you lose them both you're dead."

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