BURNLEY striker Martin Paterson believes he has emerged from his injury problems with a new mental toughness after vowing to get his career back on track.

Paterson scored his first league goal in more than a year in the Clarets’ 3-0 win at home to Doncaster Rovers on Boxing Day after being kept on the sidelines by persistent thigh problems.

The 24-year-old was making his third appearance since his latest comeback – after two previous unsuccessful returns from injury – and is now keen to regain the form that once saw him spearhead Burnley’s rise to the Premier League.

Paterson is realistic that he may not start every game – with Charlie Austin, Sam Vokes and the imminent return of Danny Ings set to provide competition for places – but knows he will not be short of mental strength following his year of woe.

And the fact his goal came against Doncaster was an irony not lost on Paterson, who was forced out of action for long periods after both games against the South Yorkshire side last season.

“I said to the kitman I don’t really want to play Doncaster because I got injured twice but I don’t have any weakness mentally, I’m brave enough to face anything after the year I’ve had,” said the forward, who also had a lay-off with a knee injury during Burnley’s season in the top flight.

“I’ve just got to take it by every little step now, game by game, and do the best I can.

“I might find it hard to stay in the team with the quality that we have but every chance I’m given I’ll give it my best and hopefully I’ll score more.

“I just want to play football. I’m 24 years of age, I’m still a young man and I just want to play.

“Obviously I’d have liked to have played a lot more over the last two years.

“For now it’s just a blessing that I can get my career back on track and be successful from here.

“It was emotional. I’ve just wanted to play football and I’ve been able to and scored a goal so I’m delighted.

“It’s a little bit selfish but I’m delighted for myself because I have battled away and it has taken a lot of hard work.

“Sometimes people don’t see the work that you put in as a footballer, it’s a bit underrated.

“But I’m not going to moan, it’s part of life and I’ve come through it.”

The persistence of Paterson’s thigh injury led to the former Scunthorpe man travelling to Germany to undergo revolutionary blood-spinning treatment.

It has been a frustrating time for the striker but he revealed that his own problems had been put into perspective by a recent meeting with a young child suffering from leukaemia.

“It’s been tough but it’s not tougher than what people have to deal with in certain situations in life,” he said.

“I’ve just had a little injury that’s been really difficult to get over but if you put it in to real life terms it’s not been that difficult.

“I met a young boy the other day called James who is battling with leukaemia and I think that put a lot of things in to perspective for me.

“The brave little man is fighting leukaemia and I’m feeling sorry for myself because I’ve got a bad thigh.

“It’s been difficult for me but it’s not the end of the world. Hopefully now I’ve come to the end of it.”