Stephen Robinson has been left dumbfounded at Motherwell's injury crisis after Trevor Carson became the sixth player ruled out with a knee problem.

The Northern Irish goalkeeper was ruled out for at least three months earlier this week with an injury that will require an operation to sort out. His issue forced the Steelmen into the market to bring in former Millwall and Fulham stopper Jordan Archer as goalkeeping cover.

Scott Fox, Carson's understudy, is already out of action in the long-term alongside the likes of Charles Dunne, Liam Donnelly, Jake Carroll and Bevis Mugabi on the treatment table. And manager Robinson has been left cursing his luck.

The boss is now desperate to get to the bottom of what is going wrong at Fir Park in terms of injury lay-offs in a bid to prevent any more top stars missing any crucial Premiership matches.

On Carson’s blow, Robinson said: "For him personally, he has fought back from his illness and it’s just so unfortunate. Listen, it could have been worse, when we first saw it. We wish him a speedy recovery and we are desperate to get him back as quick as we can.

"He is certainly not having any luck but he is in quite a positive frame of mind and he knows he will hopefully be back just after Christmas. We have got an incredible injury list at the moment and, the worst thing is, they are injuries you can’t control. I’m the first person to look at myself and my staff and what we are doing. We have a brilliant medical department and there is one muscle injury out of all the injuries.

"I think we have got six knee injuries, which are uncontrollable. You look at the pitches, you look at everything, and they are all being done in different areas, at different times. Even down to their boots, we are looking at."

'Well will also be without Ricki Lamie and Liam Grimshaw for this weekend's trip to Livingston, meaning it is likely there will be a youthful look to the bench. But he hopes that, should any of the youngsters within the squad be called upon, they will be ready to make an impact.

"It’s just a really unfortunate time for us and the players who are injured. But in adversity then the young ones get chances. I think we will have eight academy boys involved on Saturday, either starting or on the bench.

"We are a club who gives them opportunities. We will have young Max Johnston on the bench, who I believe is going to be a top, top footballer. He is 16 years of age and, you never know, he might get his debut on Saturday."