There is never a good time to be injured but missing matches such as Saturday’s against Barnsley makes things even tougher.

With all tickets for the game reduced to £5, the club are expecting a more or less full Valley and those are the occasions players want to be involved in.

The first time I played in one of the club’s Football for a Fiver fixtures was actually against Charlton for Exeter City, back in February 2010.

And having won on that occasion and also in last season’s two matches after my transfer to The Valley, it would have been great to be seeking my fourth Football for a Fiver victory in a row.

Ben Hamer has the same record, as he was on loan with Exeter from Reading for that first match, so he’ll have to defend our 100% record on my behalf.

Unfortunately, I’m still a little way short of making a return from the foot injury I suffered at the end of August.

Every player expects to pick up knocks and I suppose if you never have a serious injury during your career, you’ve done well but the freak nature of mine was hard to accept.

It came during the last two drills we do in the warm-up, which are designed to aid quick feet with little jumps and then a sprint. I took off from one of the jumps and felt a pop in the side of my foot, something I’ve never felt before.

As soon as I did it, I looked round because it felt as though I’d jumped on something. If I could explain the initial feeling, it was like being hit by a paintball.

I realised straight away I must have done something serious and while the game against Hull was going on, I was at hospital having a scan.

The results showed that I’d ruptured my left plantar fascia, which is the tendon that runs along the bottom of your foot. I’m told that the injury is quite rare but that’s hardly any consolation!

I had several weeks wearing an airboot and now I’m back running. The next stage is to get back to full fitness and also feel confident about the tendon.

Having strived to play in the Championship for so long, it’s frustrating to have got an injury so early this season, but that’s football.

You just have to keep working hard, get fit and hope to get your chance.