ST JOHNSTONE midfielder Kevin Moon is ready to sink his teeth into the season after finally overcoming his chronic groin injury, writes Ian Roache.

The 22-year-old made a big impact as a half-time sub at Tynecastle on Saturday as the visitors beat Hearts.

It was his first taste of the SPL and just reward for following the advice of experts who advised him to wear a gumshield and become a vegetarian.

Now he is hungry for more games and would love to feature this afternoon when Hamilton Accies visit McDiarmid Park.

Moon said, “It was such a relief when I was told I was going on against Hearts because it has been such a frustrating time for me.

“It was great to be back involved and I was really excited when the manager said he was changing it and giving me a chance.”

He added, “I was told to get us going from side to side and to spread the play a bit. The team did really well and we went on to win the game, which was great.”

Moon’s long road back to the first team has had stop-offs in England and latterly France along the way.

Boss Derek McInnes was familiar with the French expertise in how dental problems can impact on other areas of the body—in this case the groin— from his days as a Toulouse player.

He called on that know-how to help Moon and a special gumshield was obtained for the midfielder to use.

A change in diet was also prescribed and it all seems to be working.

Moon said, “When I came back for pre-season I knew I wasn’t right and that we had to find out what was wrong.

“I had tried so many different things but at the end of the summer I went to see experts in both England and France.”

He added, “The (French) dental specialist gave me a gumshield to wear and I was also advised to change my diet.

“So I became a vegetarian and have not eaten any meat products since.

“I just felt that I had to take on board what they were telling me because I need to consider my career and livelihood.”

Moon said, “I would try anything within reason if it meant getting back involved with the first team.

“Fortunately, these latest steps appear to have paid off and I am now looking forward to fighting for my place.

“I am feeling better and it seems to be working for me.

“Maybe I am finally winning what is a mental battle as much as a physical one.”

Moon knows he has a lot of work ahead to reach the fitness of most of his teammates but is willing to graft.

He said, “I still have some way to go to get my match sharpness up to where I want it to be but I will be doing the extra work required to keep myself right.”

He is adamant that maximum effort will be required from all the Saints today if Accies are to be overcome.

Moon said, “It was a great feeling to win at Tynecastle but that will count for nothing if we don’t win against Hamilton.”

Steven Anderson is fit again but McInnes will give late fitness tests to Danny Grainger, Graham Gartland and Kenny Deuchar.

Hamilton may be the first SPL team to lose to Falkirk this season, but Accies boss Billy Reid believes his players should be boosted by their efforts against the Bairns last week.

Reid feels his players bossed most of the game in one of their better performances in the top flight and wants a similar performance against Saints.

He said, “There are a lot of positives.

“If we play as well as that in games, then we will win games in this league. That I guarantee.”

He added, “We made loads of chances, controlled loads of the game and my belief is that if we keep doing that we will pick up points.

“I don’t think we have ever controlled a game as much in the SPL away from home.”

Looking ahead to the trip to Perth, Reid added, “St Johnstone are one of the teams who can mix it, they’re not predictable.

“But my belief is that if we can play to our potential we can win the game and that’s what we are looking to do.”

James Wesolowski has committed himself to Hamilton until the end of the season—after the midfielder’s impressive displays this season.