The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Wright’s dislocation means Rovers likely to put trialist in goal
Injury woes for Smith ahead of home clash with Stenhousemuir
Raith boss Barry Smith will almost certainly have to play a trialist between the sticks for his side’s League 1 match with Stenhousemuir tomorrow.
Rovers’ rotten luck with injuries continued this week when on-loan Rangers keeper Kieran Wright dislocated a finger in training.
The goalie had been drafted in after first-choice Stark’s stopper Robbie Thomson injured his hip two Saturdays ago at Cove Rangers.
Smith has not ruled Wright out of contention for the game against Stenny but in all likelihood he will not make it.
The manager also has further problems in the outfield positions through injury and suspension for the match, which will be his side’s first on the new £700,000 artificial surface at Stark’s Park.
Smith said: “Kieran unfortunately injured himself during training.
“He has seen the Rangers doctor and he has a slight chance of playing but we will have to see.
“It just seems to be the way things are going for us with injuries at the moment.
“We have a couple of trialists lined up who could step in to play. Robbie is getting better but I think Saturday will be too early for him.
“Chris Duggan stepped up training today but won’t be ready for Stenny.
“But if all goes well, he will definitely be available for the East Fife game.
“Iain Davidson is still suspended for another two weeks, while Lewis Vaughan is progressing the way we thought he would.
“I should have four outfield subs this week.
“James Berry was suspended for the Stranraer game but he is now available.”
That match on the road ended with Raith securing a point, with Smith now looking for his players to pick up the first league victory at home and to make Stark’s Park a fortress once more this season.
He said: “Stranraer is never an easy place to go to and I suspect other teams will drop points down there.
“From our point of view, the fact that we were in front, we will look at it and think we should have gone on to win the game.
“That’s the frustrating thing but we are back at Stark’s, we are training here every day and are looking forward to Saturday’s game.
“We have a fantastic record in front of our home fans and we want to keep that going, starting on Saturday.
“Stenny are organised, are a threat going forward and have a couple of guys who have played at a good level.
“But we are at home, we want to be on the front foot and start here with a win.”