The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Lichties have opportunity to tighten grip on top spot
But missing pair could stretch Gayfield team’s limited squad
Arbroath boss Dick Campbell is looking for his team to overcome the loss of two key players and further cement their place at the top of the League 1 table against East Fife this afternoon.
The Red Lichties have opened up a seven-point gap on second-placed Raith following last week’s results that saw the Angus side win at Stranraer while Rovers were losing 3-2 at Forfar.
East Fife also lost last Saturday, at Dumbarton, a result which ended a long winning streak but Campbell, who has just won the Ladbrokes Manager of the Month award for October, is taking nothing for granted against Darren Young’s team.
Campbell said: “Callum Smith will be out for five to six weeks after breaking his wrist last week.
“He just fell awkwardly but it is a big blow to us as he has been doing well since coming in on loan from Dunfermline.
“Mark Whatley is also still out with a groin strain.
“So we have two players missing from a 17-man squad which will obviously stretch us a bit.
“Thankfully we have the likes of Danny Denholm waiting to come in as well as other players raring to go.
“Last week may have been a narrow 1-0 victory thanks to an own goal but going to Stranraer is never easy.
“So I was delighted with the three points and it was probably the best we have played all season.
“We now have two home games in a row starting with East Fife.
“They may have lost last week at Dumbarton but they had won their previous eight games in a row so we know we are in for a difficult game at Gayfield.
“However, we are determined to keep our unbeaten run going at the top of the League 1 table.”
The Fifers head to Angus looking to get back to winning ways after their eightgame run of victories ended abruptly at Dumbarton last weekend.
The Methil men are, however, not feeling sorry for themselves.
Manager Darren Young said: “This is the perfect game to bounce back in. Despite our recent good run no one from outside of East Fife will give us a chance but we view it differently.
“We have a game plan to get something from Gayfield and we will look to implement it. It was a disappointing way for our terrific run to end but we will look to bounce back against Arbroath.”
Young added: “It will not be easy as they are top of the league for a reason but we will look to get winning again.
“We had a bounce game during the week and a good number of players who have been on the fringes were involved and four of them scored.
Young is hoping that Daryll Meggatt will return after injury kept him out at Dumbarton.
Ross Davidson is suspended after being dismissed against the Sons with Rory Currie remaining sidelined with a broken toe.