Dundee United winger Craig Conway hopes to be back to his best in time to help the Tangerines reach the Scottish Cup semi-finals.
The Hampden hero has been suffering from a thigh strain that hampered him during the first match against the Steelmen on Sunday and has been told to rest.
He had to come off after just over an hour of the 2-2 draw and will now sit out Wednesday’s home SPL clash against Hearts then the meeting with Inverness Caley Thistle on Saturday.
There is then a welcome break for United’s players before they resume at Fir Park on Tuesday, March 29, when a last-four cup place against St Johnstone or Brechin City will be up for grabs.
Conway believes he will be ready to go by then.
“I have just had a thigh strain for the past wee while but I should be fine for the replay,” he said.
“I have been carrying this niggle for a while and, to be fair, I probably shouldn’t have played on Sunday.
“However, I was so desperate to play and help the boys because we have been down to the bare bones recently with so many games in such a short space of time.”Key men to returnHe added, “I wanted to do my bit to help us get into the semi-final but it reached a stage where enough is enough.
“In hindsight, I should have just sat it out. I didn’t do myself any justice because balls I would normally get to, I wasn’t getting near.”
Conway said, “Now I need to give it a rest before it gets worse and it is just a pity I will miss Hearts on Wednesday and then Inverness as the weekend.
“I am confident I will be fine after the rest and hopefully I can play in the replay.”
Sunday’s match was the club’s third in six days they have accrued six league points and could still return to the national stadium.
Conway feels the players deserve credit for their performances and said that, by the time of the Fir Park trip, other key men should be available.
He said, “We are getting players back like Garry Kenneth so we will probably be in better shape by the time the replay comes round.
“Jon Daly will have had a bit more game-time under his belt by then as well and he has already come off the bench to score a couple of goals in the last two games.”Schedule ‘takes its toll’He added, “It has been tough recently having such a crammed schedule. It can take its toll no matter how fit you are.
“But to get two wins in the SPL and then to come from behind and still be in the quarter-final of the Scottish Cup speaks volumes for the players and their approach to things.”
Understandably, the Scotland star did not want to get too far ahead when contemplating yesterday’s draw.
Conway said, “With there still being all eight teams involved it is hard to think about what may or may not happen.”
Joining Conway on the sidelines for the next two league fixtures will be midfielder Prince Buaben, who has broken through the penalty points barrier, while Morgaro Gomis will be banned for the cup tie.
The replay date has raised an eyebrow because it falls during an international week.
Motherwell captain Stephen Craigan has been called up for Northern Ireland, who face Slovenia on the same night as the United match, while Scotland play Brazil the previous Sunday in a friendly at the Emirates Stadium in London.
Meanwhile, United duo Johnny Russell and Stuart Armstrong have been called up for the Scotland under-21 game against Belgium on March 24.