It never rains, it pours, as the old saying goes.
And right now there's a deluge of injuries at Hamilton Accies, with talented winger Lewis Smith becoming the latest member of the squad to be ruled out - just days after his return to action.
Smith had been out since August with hamstring problem, but made his first appearance in almost three months when he featured in the 8-0 thrashing by Rangers at Ibrox on November 8.
The 20-year-old then started against Stranraer in their 2-1 Betfred Cup defeat a few days later, but his troublesome hamstring flared up again, forcing him off.
And now Accies boss Brian Rice has revealed one of his key players will miss Saturday's Premiership trip to Tannadice to face Dundee United.
Smith will have a scan today and Rice is keeping his fingers crossed the youngster won't be out long-term, and join the likes of fellow midfielders David Templeton and Charlie Trafford on the sidelines.
Rice said: "Lewis Smith won't make it [for Saturday]. He felt his hamstring during and after the Stranraer game.
"So that's a big blow for us because he's been a big loss and been out a lot longer than expected.
"But it's important we get him right because he's a massive player for the club.
"It is a concern. Lewis Smith is a undoubtedly a talent.
"He's one of these players that gets you on the edge of your seat. He's a big game player.
"When he gets on the ball he gets us up the pitch, he creates chances and he's beginning to score a few goals.
"I think he's just coming into himself and getting that belief that he is a Premiership player.
"He's been out since August 27 - that's a long time for a club like us to lose a really influential player and it's really difficult to replace him in the team - so it is a concern.
"He's going for a scan again today to see the extent of the damage and we hope it's not as severe as last time.
"He was a part of the Scotland under-21 squad and he's had to miss out on the wee run they went on as well, so it's been a difficult period for the lad."
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