ALL THIS talk of calf problems must seem strangely familiar to young striker Greg Morrison. So, too, sadly for him, are the jokes and puns at his expense.

The 18-year-old, who grew up among the livestock and bales of his father's farm near native Keith, could soon be ploughing a lone furrow in the Ross County attack amid a worsening injury crisis.

Built with the kind of powerful physique that points to a healthy home-grown childhood diet, the Ross County academy product earned his first senior start in the disappointing 2-0 home defeat after Craig Curran took injured at lunchtime on match-day.

Like Curran, defender Andrew Davies also bowed out with a calf problem shortly before the match, joining striker Alex Schalk, with medial ligament damage, in the treatment room.

But it was the crumpling of Liam Boyce, the Northern Ireland international, with medial ligament damage of his own that really set alarm bells ringing in the Dingwall camp. The extent of the top scorer's injury should be clearer later today.

Young Morrison may, then, stand as the only recognised striker fit for County after the international break when the Highland team trek to Pittodrie. It is a chance he is eager to grasp.

"It was a disappointing result but, as my first start, I loved it," Morrison admitted. "It was a very proud moment and I thought I battled my corner. I was happy enough with my game.

"We just need to move on to the next game and keep the heads up. I thought we raised it at the start of the second half, but then petered out again after they scored their second goal."

Morrison only learned he would lead the attack on the afternoon of the game but, luckily, he had family there to witness the big moment.

"My mum was here so that was terrific," he said. "I gave her a last-minute text to say I was starting. I'm from Keith and I come from a farming background. I get reminded of it every day by the boys at training. It's just jokes. They say I've got big farmer's strength and that sort of thing and that I milk cows when I go home.

"That used to be the case when I was at home, but not now I'm in digs in Dingwall! When I do go back home I still help out on the farm when I'm needed. Before I signed professional terms with County, I grew up helping on the farm when I got home from school.

"But I know which job I enjoy better – this one. I suppose working hard on the farm helped build my strength which is paying off now."

Morrison exuded quiet confidence in his readiness to step into the fray effectively for County now that injuries are biting.

"I'd like to give myself a chance," he stressed. "Alex is injured and Brian Graham leaving has given me an opportunity I'm trying to seize with both hands. I'm not sure how long Liam will be out, but if the opportunity comes up after the international break I'll try to take it and do the best I can."

For whatever reason, County lacked zest and spark against a Saints team who were completely dominant in the first period and have now won four of their last five trips to the ground.

Jay McEveley, sent off last time out at home to Motherwell, was drafted in as Davies fell injured and was again in the thick of the drama as Tommy Wright's team made the breakthrough two minutes before half-time.

Chris Kane nipped in in front of McEveley to the left of the box but seemed set to run the ball out before the otherwise sound Liverpudlian clumsily clipped his heels. Danny Swanson stepped up to send Scott Fox the wrong way to secure a deserved half-time lead.

County enjoyed a far better 15 minutes after the re-start, clearly psyched up and scolded by the management team, but quality in the final third eluded them before they were hit by a classic sucker-punch.

A fine breakaway move ended with substitute David Wotherspoon threading Kane into space in the box and the striker calmly weighted a low shot past the outcoming Fox.

With all substitutes used, Boyce's exit left County with 10 men and no real chance of clawing a way back in the final minutes.

It was a happy homecoming of sorts, then, for Richard Foster, who was off-loaded by the Dingwall club in the transfer window.

The former Rangers and Aberdeen defender, though, resisted the opportunity to bask in the revenge act and focused on his new team's lofty ambitions.

"When you come back to play an old team it is always nice to get a win. I thought we played really well today and dominated the game," Foster said.

"With Rangers coming back up into this league, everyone just assumes they're going to be in the top four. But that place was St Johnstone's last season and we want to keep it this season.

"It will be a tough battle – there are a lot of good teams. But we feel we have enough in the dressing room to certainly push for that top four."