Ross County striker Brian Graham could be forgiven for rubbing his eyes in disbelief when he looks at the Championship league table.
The Staggies are five points clear of their rivals in the race for the title despite nursing a crippling injury list all season.
Graham has not been immune from the plague of injuries which have swept through the Staggies dressing room and has hailed his team-mates for not letting the injuries derail the club’s promotion push.
Graham and Declan McManus as the last strikers standing with Billy Mckay missing the rest of the campaign due to a broken arm while Ross Stewart has a thigh strain but the attacker is relishing the responsibility.
He said: “We’ve got a good squad of players here and we’re well balanced. The amount of injuries we’ve had this season is an absolute joke and it’s a surprise that we are in the position we are when you consider the number of operations there have been.
“Whoever plays Saturday will be ready but I enjoy the responsibility as soon as I cross the white line.
“My season has been up and down. I had a groin injury, an operation and back spasm. It’s been up and down injury-wise but now I feel fit and ready to go so we’ll see what it brings.
“(Physio) Kevin Bain has been worked off his feet, it’s been quite surreal the number of injuries we’ve had but we have good characters who have stepped up and that’s been important.
“There is a really good squad here, everyone’s together and we’re in a good place. Long may it continue.”
The County players were given their first weekend off this season to recover from a gruelling campaign and Graham believes the break has served the squad well as they return to action for a crucial run of matches.
He said: “We’ve been in constantly so it was nice to have some family time at the weekend. With three games in six days it was good to recharge the batteries and we’re ready to go again.
“We know it is a big week in the season. We’re five points clear and we can go to eight if we win our next two games so everyone is focused.”
The Staggies welcome a Morton side which has beaten them twice this season to Victoria Park today but Graham will not lead the two defeats at Cappielow detract from his club’s push for the title.
He said: “Cappielow is a horrible place to go and a lot of teams struggle there. They’ve taken six points off us which was sore but we’ve got a five-point lead and that pain has gone now. We’ve got to look forward now and focus on what’s ahead of us.”
Ross Draper remains doubtful following the knock he suffered in the Scottish Cup fifth round replay at Caley Thistle but Iain Vigurs trained on Tuesday and is in contention to return. Sean Kelly is also back training but will be not be risked today.
