Dundee’s Scott Bain bravely played through the pain barrier against Ross County last week.
However, he insists he was more concerned about letting his team-mates down instead of worrying that he might aggravate his shoulder injury.
With fellow keeper Kyle Letheren ruled out and third-choice stopper Arvid Schenk still recovering from the trauma of conceding six goals on his Dundee debut against United at Tannadice on New Year’s Day, manager Paul Hartley felt he had no option but to turn to Bain.
With the Staggies being reduced to 10 men shortly after kick-off, it was a relatively quiet afternoon for the 23-year-old between the sticks although he was helpless to stop County equalising with virtually their only attack of the game.
However, after the match, Bain drove straight down to Leicester for an injection in his shoulder and he insists he will be pain free against Motherwell today.
He said: “I feel better now. I went down to Leicester on Sunday night after the game.
“I got an injection in it and it has really improved.
“It was something to heal the injury and help the problem recover.
“I didn’t think about it last Sunday because I knew I was getting the injection anyway, so if I hurt it then it would be fixed within 24 hours anyway.
“So I felt it was worth the risk and just went for it.
“It wasn’t sore during the game. I only felt it once when I threw a ball to David Clarkson.
“But apart from that it was fine. I didn’t have much to do anyway so it was the perfect game to play with an injury.
“I didn’t have any apprehension for myself if anything, I was worried about letting the boys down.
“But once the game starts that was the last thing on my mind because you get focused on the job and everything else just goes away.”
Dundee’s draw with the 10-man Staggies meant they have now gone eight league games without a win.
Bain though insists that no heads have dropped in the Dark Blues dressing-room and he is confident they will return to winning ways soon.
He said: “The mood is positive, everyone is upbeat and we’re looking forward to the Motherwell game.
“When you are a new team in the league, with new players, this is always going to happen.
“During the season every team will hit a sticky patch and it is just about staying calm and coming through it.
“We’ve had one before and bounced back to win four on the trot, so we know we’re capable of it.
“We just need to get a win and that will kick us on again.
“The expectation probably changed because of the way we started the season.
“But the expectations in the dressing-room are high, never mind with the fans.
“This league is so tight, we’ve dropped down two places after this run and a couple of good wins would take us right back up there again.
“So there’s a long way to go in the season.”
Dundee will face a Motherwell side that have lost their last two games, conceding seven goals in the process.
And Bain is certain the Dark Blues can inflict more pain on the Steelmen today.
He said: “I think Motherwell have picked up a wee bit since we last played them but we’re confident.
“You can see the quality we have, things just haven’t been falling for us.
“We know we can get a good result on Saturday.
“At the moment we’re being punished for mistakes but that’s what happens at this level.
“In this league if you make mistakes the other teams will take advantage of that.
“In the lower leagues you can maybe get away with not being at your best.
“I have found that in the Premiership, it takes a good save or something lucky to stop you losing a goal after a mistake.
“You don’t get away with as much as you do in the lower leagues.
“Down there you can have days when you’re not at it and get away with it.
“But that’s not the case here, you have to be at it every week and everyone has to be at it.
“You can’t carry anyone.”
Dundee will be without defensive stalwart James McPake for the game but Bain revealed he has been impressed by someone who could replace him, new centre-half signing, Bulgarian Kostadin Gadzhalov.
He said: “Kostadin is strong, he’s going to be a good asset to the team.
“He bullied a few boys in training today I won’t name names.
“But he’s a good addition to the club. You will see soon enough what I mean.”
As well as McPake and Letheren, Dundee will be without the injured Kevin McBride.