Central defender Jason De Vos says he is fed up with playing through the pain barrier. The Canadian international has had more than his fair share of injuries this season, but has so far managed to avoid missing any games.

De Vos told the club site: "It's very annoying at the moment and I seem to have picked up one thing after another.

"I just want to be healthy and clear of injury so that I can concentrate on my game.

"I feel like Lazarus, having been written off a few times for matches so far this season, yet still having managed to come back from the brink and make it out on to the pitch.

"I got a whack on the leg that I injured a week or two back and I could feel the swelling building up again and the blood shifting around.

"I knew [on Saturday] if I stood around at the [half-time] break it would stiffen up, so I spent 10 minutes on the bike to keep the leg warm."

Prior to his thigh injury, sustained in the Sheffield United game, De Vos had suffered a hairline fracture of the toe when away with Canada.

With Canada already eliminated from the World Cup, De Vos opted out of yesterday's qualifier in Guatemala. The former Wigan man is mulling over international retirement.

Photo: Action Images

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