Keeper relishing every match after 21 months on sidelines

A 1-0 defeat against Ross County in an empty ground in Dingwall on a Monday night would not normally live long in the memory but Motherwell goalkeeper Trevor Carson has vowed to soak up every experience after 21 months out.

The Northern Ireland international this week made his first appearance since suffering deep vein thrombosis on his way back from representing Northern Ireland against Austria in November 2018.

Carson’s career was on the line but his comeback proved elusive after getting the all-clear.

The former Hartlepool keeper lost his Motherwell place to Mark Gillespie and then the coronavirus lockdown scuppered a promise from manager Stephen Robinson to play him before the end of last season.

Gillespie’s exit to Newcastle has given Carson the chance to rediscover the form which saw him the subject of a bid from Celtic in January 2018.

Ahead of today’s Premiership clash with Dundee United, he said: “I’m not one for getting nervous going into games but Monday was a different feeling. I had different emotions, maybe overthinking things because I haven’t played for so long.

“But I will come on leaps and bounds just getting that one out the way. You have little doubts: ‘Can I still do it? Will I be able to perform at the same level?’

“It was just a shame there were no fans there because that’s the one thing you pinch yourself. I have played in front of 50,000 at Hampden and don’t really take it in at the time. But since what I have been through I am going to take in every experience, every atmosphere now, because I can’t even remember my international debut. It’s something I dreamed of as a kid and I have no recollection of it.”

Motherwell left-back Nathan Mcginley faces four to six weeks out of action with a groin injury.

Midfielder Liam Donnelly is touch and go while long-term absentees Jake Carroll and Charles Dunne – both leftsided defenders – remain out.