LEE Martin feared his sight might be permanently damaged after suffering a freak golfing accident.

An ambulance had to be called for the Ipswich Town winger after a stone flicked up and hit him on the eye while playing a shot on his day off two weeks’ ago.

The 25-year-old was rushed to a specialist eye doctor in London amid fears that the damage, which left bleeding behind the eye itself, could be serious. Thankfully though that looks like that isn’t the case.

“For a couple of days and we were quite worried,” said manager Paul Jewell. “Thankfully there is no permanent damage and he just needs a week’s rest to allow the bleeding behind the eye to clear.”

Meanwhile, there are slight injury concerns regarding Danny Collins and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas.

The former had to withdraw from the Wales squad for their up-and-coming European Championship Qualifying matches against Switzerland (h) and Bulgaria (a) yesterday.

However, Jewell – who will look to renew the centre-back’s loan stay from Stoke when the window reopens in January – says it was just as a precaution.

“He was feeling his groin a bit before he came here which I think (Wales manager) Gary Speed was aware of,” said the Blues boss. “With him playing so many games in such a short space of time I think it’s just caught up with him a bit.

“I think Stoke are happy for him to stay here for treatment because they know we’ll look after him. I haven’t heard from Tony (Pulis) yet.”

Emmanuel-Thomas made a cameo appearance off the bench during Saturday’s 3-1 home win over Brighton, but continues to feel pain in the ankle injury he picked up during the 2-1 win over Leeds at the back end of August.

“He’s had an injection in it to see if that will settle it down because he’s been playing in a bit of discomfort,” said Jewell. “He’s had a scan and we’re waiting for the results.”

Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer withdrew from the Australia squad yesterday after feeling a back injury flair up at the weekend, but there are no indications that it is serious enough for the Cottagers to recall David Stockdale from his loan spell at Portman Road.

Town have a reserve game against Watford today at Playford Road with a number of senior fringe players – including Mark Kennedy following his recovery from a calf problem – likely to be involved. Supporters are welcome to attend the match which kicks-off at 1pm.

LEE MARTIN’s ROLLERCOASTER SEASON SO FAR

– Impresses in pre-season.

– Scores his first competitive goal for the club in nearly two years during the opening day 3-0 win at Bristol City.

– Sent-off in the 7-1 loss at Peterborough for a ball-winning – though highly unnecessary – lunging challenge.

– Jewell refuses to speak to the winger and orders he spend a week training with the youth team as punishment for his three-match suspension.

– Knuckles down and impresses the staff at Playford Road with his reaction.

– A bout of tonsillitis sees him sent home from training ahead of Middlesbrough trip.

– Freak golf accident injures his eye and sets him back again.