Scott Martin is playing for Hamilton with eight stitches in his foot - but insists that’s nothing compared to what he’s been through.
The midfielder has played eight times in the Championship this season for head coach Stuart Taylor after injuries took their toll.
A hamstring tear during a 0-0 draw with Ayr at Somerset Park in December saw him miss several games, that spell coming off the back of being out for seven months due to fitness concerns.
It’s why that when he suffered a gash on his foot during a 2-2 draw with Arbroath earlier this month, it was merely a scratch to him.
Plenty of other Accies players have played through the pain barrier at times this season and the battling midfielder is more than happy to do the same.
Martin said: “The injury at Arbroath wasn’t as bad as first feared which was good. We just need to stay on top of it and I need to stay injury-free so I can help the team as much as I can.
“It was eight stiches at the top of my foot but it’s just one of those things that happen in football. It’s just a niggle. It could be a lot worse.
“The last year has been terrible for injuries. This was nothing compared to what it could have been or what it has been for me in the past. If I am able to run, pass a ball and chase people down, that’s not an injury to me.”
Accies head into Friday night’s match with Inverness seventh in the Championship but on a run of just one defeat in seven matches.
Martin is keen to play but will continue to weigh up how fit he’s feeling before every match to ensure another lengthy treatment table stay isn’t had.
He added: “I think it’s a bit of both. I have been doing the physio’s head in as I have been desperate to get out of his room and play as quick as I can!
“Everything just now is fine, touchwood, and I just need to look after myself in training and then the game will take care of itself.”
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