Ewan Moyes, the Brechin City defender, is recovering from injuries sustained after being hit by a car on Saturday night, but his greater concern was whether or not he would be fit in time to lead his side out for the first league match of the season against Rangers.
The 23-year-old required 12 stitches to a laceration in his back, his nose had to be glued, while he also suffered a deep cut on his arm.
He was treated at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and afterwards beseeched doctors to tell him if he would miss the start of the season, with the inaugural league fixture coming against Rangers on August 10. Fortunately for the defender, it is expected that he will return to full training within a month.
"When I came round in the hospital I was still in shock and really groggy," said Moyes, who had a spell with Hibernian earlier in his career. "I kept asking the doctor: 'Will I be ready for Rangers? Will I be all right for Ibrox?' I don't think anyone had a clue what I was talking about.
"The doctor was a bit more focused on the important things; he told me I should just be thankful that I was still alive. I know how lucky I am."
Moyes is aware it could have been much worse, especially as he had been left unable to move his legs properly as a result of shock and the painkillers administered by the paramedics. "It was a terrifying experience," he added. "I remember panicking about the feeling in my legs. My left leg had some feeling, but it was all a bit fuzzy and I could not tell straight away what the damage was.
"It was a relief when I was told I would be able to play again – in fact it was a relief to be told I would be able to walk again. It was just lucky I managed to jump over the bonnet, that was just pure instinct. Maybe being a footballer came in handy there. My legs still feel like jelly, but that could be the accident or it could be the shock, as it is something that really shakes you up."
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