MOORE ON WAY BACK
Striker could return next month
Ian McCall hopes an early Christmas present is just around the corner with the return of star striker Craig Moore. And he reckons the on- loan Motherwell man could be the hungriest player in the league for the second half of the season. Moore, 22, hasn’t kicked a ball since suffering concussion in the Betfred Cup defeat at St Mirren in July. But McCall reveals he is well on the road to recovery and could be back next month. And that will save Ayr a January dip into the transfer market to beef up a goalshy strike force.
McCall said: “Craig is coming on well and has had no reaction for three or four weeks.
“I think he should be back in full training within a week or two. I had ruled him out until January but would like to think it could now be December.
“Craig is a very hungry player who in the second half of the season could be the hungriest in the whole league.
“He really wants to play and has a great attitude. Sometimes that goes against him because he wants to play with injuries.
“This was a freak injury and it’s taken a while but everyone, including Craig, has been patient.
“When he comes back it will be like having a new player.”
Moore scored 14 goals in 25 starts on loan last season and Ayr have missed his firepower.
And McCall admits it’s an area he will need to strengthen if the hitman’s absence is prolonged.
Ayr are off the back of three straight defeats for the first time since August when they entertain Falkirk on Saturday.
And that’s followed by a re- arranged trip to Raith Rovers on Tuesday night.
It’s a real test of Ayr’s credentials but McCall is confident they will get back on song.
He said: “It’s three defeats but I have to analyse it a bit closer than that.
“Hibs were better than us on the day but the other two games we could quite easily have won.
“I have got to examine why we lost late goals like we did at St Mirren. I was very disappointed.
“I played a different system on Sunday and tried to get the players a
bit more freedom but it showed we need to play a certain way.
“That means one striker with one from Alan Forrest, Gary Harkins and Craig McGuffie behind him.”
Jamie Adams misses the double- header with a groin strain but hopes to be back for the Scottish Cup trip to Brechin a week on Saturday.
Paddy Boyle has shaken off a bloodied nose from the 2- 1 defeat at Saints while Kevin Nisbet returns after being cup- tied.
Brian Gilmour, who missed the cup exit with a virus, could be back in the squad but an unlikely starter.
Ayr are 23/ 10 outsiders to win while McBookie. com make Falkirk 23/ 20 with draw 5/ 2.
Cottage Travel Club bus on Tuesday leaves the Campbeltown Bar at 5pm. Seats, price £ 10, from Jamie ( tel: 07792 747354).