Early goal crucial as Dods comes to terms with injury blow

Brechin boss Darren Dods has resigned himself to being without central defender Ryan Mcgeever for up to six weeks.

Mcgeever, who joined City from Queen’s Park in the summer, limped off after 73 minutes of the 1-0 loss to Morton at Glebe Park last Saturday.

He had to go to hospital for treatment and has been told that he has damaged ankle ligaments and a bruised shin.

It is another serious setback for a player who broke his hand earlier this season.

Ahead of today’s home game against Queen of the South, Dods said: “It is a big blow for Ryan and the club and we wish him well.

“It looks like he will be out for five to six weeks, and it has been injury after injury for him after also breaking his hand.

“The frustrating thing is that he played 45 matches for Queen’s Park last season, hardly missing a game.

“That sometimes happens in football, though, and you just have to get on with things.”

City will be hoping for better luck when they host the Doonhamers than they endured against the Greenock men.

They lost a scrappy goal with just nine minutes remaining, one which keeper Graeme Smith later admitted he should have saved.

Dods believes the answer to getting that elusive first Championship victory is to get their noses in front.

“Fingers crossed, we can get the first goal because that would make a difference,” he said.

“We are at home and we have been competitive at Glebe Park, with one or two exceptions.

“We have been involved in some tight games so we will be positive about this one.”

Queens manager Gary Naysmith, meanwhile, is taking nothing for granted as he believes City are improving with every game.

Naysmith said: “When you look at Brechin’s results it shows that they are getting better every week.

“They were unfortunate to lose down at St Mirren to a late goal, and it was the same again against Morton last weekend.

“They have played everyone in the league now so they know the standards expected. We cannot surprise them so we have to be at the top of our game or they will get their first win of the season.”