Dayne Beams will use time spent recovering from his foot injury to refresh and ready himself for the important conclusion to the 2011 season.
 
The 21-year-old admits that while breaking his foot last Saturday night occurred at a time when his footy was ‘turning the corner’, Beams is aiming to leverage off the time away to play a key role in the business end of season 2011.
 
Speaking to collingwoodfc.com.au while resting at home, Beams is confident of returning strongly later in the year.
 
“I had a slower start to the season and I was getting some form back so it was disappointing to pick up this injury,” he said.

“It’s weird because I never get injured so it’s a different experience.
 
“A positive to come out of the injury with my foot is I get a mid-year rest and I will come back fresh, ready for finals.”

The 51-game Magpie felt soreness during the third term but it wasn’t until the final quarter that the injury became apparent.
 
“I felt a little bit sore in the third quarter and the pain didn’t let up.  I thought someone must have stepped on my foot and I kept playing.

“I was chasing someone early in the fourth quarter and I felt a little crack and I couldn’t run from there.
 
“I went to the bench and didn’t come back on.”

The initial scans didn’t reveal any structural damage but a further look highlighted what the premiership player suspected.
 
“I had an X-ray on Sunday and it didn’t show anything so I had to get a CT scan and an MRI and that’s where it showed the crack.
 
“There is no timeframe when I will be able to walk without the crutches, just a wait and see scenario.
 
“I don’t want to miss any footy, but the plus is we have that bye and I will miss one less game.”

Beams won’t be entirely restricted by injury with the Westpac Centre gym soon to be his new training site for a few weeks.  
 
“The first two weeks I have to stay off my foot. 

“I am tipping I will see the inside of the gym for the next four weeks as I am still able to do some upper body weights and swim.”