Livingston boss David Martindale has revealed that goalkeeper Max Stryjek has been struggling with a back strain for weeks after the Polish stopper wasn't named in the squad for Saturday's clash with Hamilton.
Veteran Gary Maley was drafted in as the substitute keeper but wasn't called into action as the Lions sealed a 2-1 victory over Brian Rice's men that confirmed their place in the top six.
Speaking to the West Lothian Courier, Martindale said: "Max has been struggling with a back strain since before the Dundee United game (February 13). It's been going into his hips and down into his hamstring.
"We've been trying to manage it. He went into the Rangers game for us and got by - he actually played really well but I think playing has had an impact.
"I've always said that I've got two no.1 keepers with Robby McCrorie and Max, but Robby got the nod initially because Max just wasn't at 100 per cent. We rested him and put him on the bench. He'd being doing a bit of training with the keepers but he played against Rangers and then a week later we're away back to square one."
He added: "It's an ongoing situation that we're going to have to manage. I think Robby has played well and not done anything wrong, but that's really why Max hasn't been getting game time lately.
"He pulled out of training on Friday and couldn't even get up and down the stairs."
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