Cobblers midfielder McCormack talks through his 'frustrating' injury troubles

Cobblers midfielder Alan McCormack admits it has been another 'frustrating' season following two long-term absences due to injury.

The 36-year-old missed two months with a hamstring issue at the start of the season before becoming a regular starter in the team across October, November and December.

But he was back on the sidelines for another couple of months after picking up a calf injury on Boxing Day. It was initially just a minor issue but turned into something more serious and kept him out for eight weeks.

"I've had two injuries this season," said McCormack. "The calf issue on Boxing Day literally came out of nowhere.

"I felt incredible and the body felt strong but maybe the heavy pitches didn't help because it was very heavy at Crawley.

"The scan revealed nothing. There was a slight bit of swelling in an area of old scar tissue but it was just something about coming back.

"Maybe I didn't give it enough rest. I had no symptoms leading to coming back on grass but it was a bog when I got back outside and then a week, 10 days later, it did the same thing.

"I actually got a couple of days into training and got a little feeling again so we just gave it enough time the second time."

McCormack's two seasons as Luton Town, prior to his move to the Cobblers last summer, were also blighted by injury.

"It's frustrating but I don't get upset about it," he added. "I just make a new plan and give myself a new goal and if that's three weeks to be back in training, well then that's the goal we aim for.

"It is getting better and my body does feel strong and it feels good, it's just getting back from a little niggle and keeping the training loads matching game loads and I don't too much in the week.

"There is a slight little link to doing too much in the week and I then get a little niggle or it's the heavy pitches or having double game weeks.

"There's a lot involved and I got through my numbers quite a bit with the physio to see what I've done. We all wear GPS on training days so I keep an eye on how much I've done.

"If I feel that's enough for me, I do walk off and that's enough and I'll go and do some strength stuff in the gym."