Brain Easton hoped a cut on his leg would only keep him out of action for a few days.
But in the end it turned out that the enforced break has been longer than he got in the close-season.
After he had to be brought off in the League Cup semi-final it has been an infuriating lay-off for Easton.
But the former Hamilton man proved in his comeback against Ross County in midweek that his form hasn’t been affected.
“It has been a frustrating time of it,” Easton admitted. “It has been a longer break than I had last summer.
“I was clearing the ball and connected with a Hibs player’s boot. My foot went thumb at the time so it wasn’t too sore.
“I could tell it was a bad one by the blood seeping through the sock. But it was when the sock came off at half time I could see the bone. I had been hoping we could just get the gash bandaged up so I could get back out. It was a big game for us.
“The foot hasn’t even been sore but the doctors and physios were warning if the wound burst back open again I would be out for the season.
“I would have needed a skin graft. So I have had to take it slowly.
“It was because of where the gash was on the top of the foot. I had 13 stitches put in the wound at the game and needed more when I was called into hospital for surgery when they put me under.
“Ando had a bad one at the start of the season. His was maybe worse because you could see the ligaments. But it was further up and he was able to do jogging and get on the bike. When I tried that it pulled the stitches open.
“It has ended up keeping me out for six weeks.
“So it was good to get back against Ross County in midweek.”
Easton added: “I had to get my second wind a bit earlier but I felt I did okay. We played well in the first half and it was a decent point.
“If we had won it would have been massive for us but we’d have still been looking to cement our place in the top six before the split.
“Ross County didn’t pull away from us so there were positives. But we want a win against Hearts to wrap things up as quickly as possible. There are a lot of teams still in there fighting.”
After losing by the odd goal in seven on day one of the league campaign and being held to a draw when Steven MacLean missed a penalty at McDiarmid Park, Saints will feel a win against Hearts is overdue.
Easton said: “We lost 4-3 in the first game of the season and that one was bizarre. It was their first game back in the league and there was a great atmosphere. We gave away a couple of cheap goals but we were disappointed not to leave with anything.
“We knew they would be top three this season. They have high expectations at Hearts because they are a big club. I’m sure even a title challenge might have been in their heads.
“Maybe that was a bit far-fetched but you knew they would come up and give it a right go. They have a strong squad.
“Outside the top three, there are a few clubs challenging for the other top six places and maybe even a European spot. That has to be our aim. We are concentrating on making the top six and we can take it from there.”
Saints have Darnell Fisher available again after suspension.