For the last 12 days, the 25-year-old has been busting a gut with the rest of the squad, but admits it’s only once the ball comes out that he really comes alive.

“The hard work we’ve been doing is something that has to be done every year and I’ve no complaints about that,” said Harkins.

“It’s really important to get a good pre-season under your belt and it’s a time you can’t afford to miss out on, but it’s great to get back playing games.

“If I had my way, I would play every minute of every game. For me, it’s the most relevant way to get the kind of fitness you need and I love playing.”

As he builds up to the new campaign, Harkins also admits this summer has been in stark contrast to just a year ago.

Then he was the focus of attention as Dundee and Partick Thistle haggled over a six-figure fee for him. This time round, he’s been just another squad member watching to see who the new arrivals will be.

“It’s been different for me because I’m waiting to see who’ll be coming in instead of being the one who was on the move.

“It makes it interesting, but it’s something you put to the back of your mind because it’s not you that controls it.

“The boys the manager has brought in for a look at so far have been good players — and you just have to trust him to get the people he needs.”

He has now had an injection in a bid to clear the problem and while that in itself ruled him out of today’s closed-door game at Hibs, it should speed his recovery.

“Dominic was still feeling his ankle, so we sent him for an injection to settle it down.

“He had to rest for four days, but he came through to the game with us — and he can now start working again,” said boss Gordon Chisholm.

The one-time Arsenal kid is likely to work under the physio for another day or so, but if the injection has worked he could start full training over the weekend.

Also missing today’s Edinburgh trip was goalkeeper Rab Douglas, who is not quite ready for game action following his knee surgery in April.

And young defender Kyle Benedictus was not risked after he suffered a slight calf strain in training.

“If it had been a competitive game I probably could have played him, but this was the first of a good few games and there was no point taking any chances,” added Chis.

Involved today, as they will be over the next week when MK Dons (Saturday) and St Johnstone (Wednesday) are faced behind closed doors, were various trialists.

“I’ve now got six or seven boys I’m having a look at and as well as getting the players already here match fitness, these games will be perfect for assessing these players.”

The striker was still being hampered by the problem today and manager Peter Houston quickly ruled him out of any involvement at the weekend.

However, Goodwillie is expected be OK to join the party which jets off for the training camp in Austria next week.

Also sitting out the Oban tourney are Craig Conway (groin), Danny Swanson (hamstring), Paul Dixon and Darren Dods, though, like Goodwillie, all four will head to Austria.

With an improvement in the weather today, the squad got a wee taster of what to expect in the baking heat of the Alps, though the gaffer has no worries over their ability to cope with higher temperatures while away.

“Pre-season is all about hard work and having to sweat a bit isn’t a problem. Over here in St Andrews it’s been quite windy, so that kept things quite cool. It’ll be hotter in Austria, but we’ll cope with that by packing the sun cream.”

Houstie had considered taking a young Englishman on trial with the touring party, but, with the player also interesting teams down south, has decided against that.

Meanwhile, former United man Stuart Duff has been given training facilities after he decided against waiting for Aberdeen to decide whether or not to offer him a new deal. Duff looks set to move to the Highlands with Inverness Caley Thistle, with whom he had a loan spell last season.

Jody recently underwent hernia surgery.

Experienced keeper Scott Shearer has been given training facilities by Saints down at Warwick.

Meanwhile, the Perth side are hoping to face Spanish side Real Valladolid in a McDiarmid Park friendly. The game will, hopefully, take place in early August on a date yet to be fixed.

Valladolid spent a long time in the Primera Liga, but were relegated last season. However, their first choice keeper is someone Saints fans have seen recently. He’s Justo Villar, who has been playing for Paraguay in the World Cup.