The defender has been out of action since breaking his leg in the Gosford club’s 5-4 defeat by Sydney FC in December.

However, his recovery is going well and he sees no reason why he shouldn’t be pulling on the boots again when the Mariners report for pre-season training.

Speaking to au.fourfourtwo.com, the left-back said: “I ventured into the surf yesterday and I’ve been doing weights, some pilates and hitting the exercise bike.

“The doctors have just told me the break has healed well but to listen to my body and go with the pain.

“I can jog 10 metres or so but then I start to feel it so it’s a question of taking things steadily. But I’m determined to be back with the boys on May 1 and to resume training.

"I look at the guys we’ve signed in Adrian Cacares and Ahmad Elrich and you want to be out there playing with quality players like that. I think they can really add to our squad next season.”

Heffernan suffered a bad break in every sense in that defeat by Sydney FC. He had been due to give a best man’s speech at his brother’s wedding that night but instead spent the evening in hospital.

He said: “It’s funny - I only opened my training bag this morning and found the speech.

"At the time I lied to them (the wedding party) and told them that I was waiting for an x-ray when I already knew the leg was broken.

"They were threatening to leave the reception and come up to the hospital and I didn’t want that. I didn’t want to spoil the day. It wasn’t about me.”

Broken legs are a hot topic in football at the moment and Heffernan has also expressed sympathy for a broken leg saga on the other side of the world.

The English press has been full of talk surrounding the tackle by Birmingham City’s Martin Taylor which shattered the leg of Arsenal player Eduardo.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has now entered the debate and threatening further punishment for Taylor. Unnecessarily so in Heffernan’s eyes.

He said: "It wasn’t a great tackle but it wasn’t malicious. The guy apologised and the other player knows it wasn’t deliberate.

“In my case Ufuk Talay left a message on my phone and I appreciated that. I don’t see why other people should be getting involved.

"Still, we know that football is a game of opinions.”