Doctor gives Rovers skipper play-off target

Raith Rovers boss John McGlynn has revealed captain Kyle Benedictus could be back in time to spearhead the club’s promotion play-off bid after being told he does not need knee surgery.

The former Dundee defender damaged medial ligaments in the recent defeat to Arbroath and it was feared his season was over as the Kirkcaldy club desperately hunt a return to the Championship.

However, a visit to see a specialist this week delivered good news for the 27-year-old, who will nonetheless still face a lengthy recovery.

Manager John McGlynn said: “Kyle’s been to see the consultant and he does not need an operation. So, it’s a matter of rehabilitation.

“We’re still talking two to three months, which is what the estimate is.

“He may sneak in at the end of the season or the play-offs, but if not he’ll be ready for the start of next season.”

Raith remain an insurmountable 16 points adrift of champions-elect Arbroath but moved a point clear of Forfar in second place with Tuesday night’s 2-2 draw with Dumbarton.

The Stark’s Park men took the lead against the Sons but, in the end, required a 92nd-minute strike from top scorer Kevin Nisbet to rescue a point.

McGlynn admits three points was the target but insists he was delighted with the character shown by his players to never give up. Ahead of tomorrow’s trip to face Stranraer, he said: “The big positive was we kept on going. There have been games like that, for example Brechin, where we were on top for most of the game and just couldn’t get a goal to get a point.

“So, it’s a positive we got a draw at Dumbarton. They’ve picked up. They beat East Fife the week before and they beat Stranraer 3-0, so they’ve got a bit more about them.

“We fought to the death, and it was a valuable point. We thought we deserved at least a point.”