Knee operation to keep Milne out until Christmas

Montrose boss Stewart Petrie has been dealt a big blow ahead of today’s game against Peterhead with the news Lewis Milne needs a knee operation and will be out until at least Christmas.

The Links Park manager recently lost midfielder Padge Cregg after he returned to Ireland and just last week, striker Josh Skelly moved back to junior side Broughty Athletic.

Now, Petrie, whose side are currently propping up League 1, has lost midfielder Milne for the foreseeable future.

The manager said: “Lewis Milne needs a knee op so we will lose him until Christmas which is a big blow.

“It is a meniscal tear and he has been bothered with it for a while. So we will get it fixed and hopefully have the real Lewis back at the end of January.”

Montrose lost again last week at the home of Angus neighbours Forfar with Petrie admitting if his team hope to finally return to winning ways, they have to increase their concentration levels.

Petrie said: “I felt last week probably summed our season up.

“We were the better team in the first half and then we lose a cheap goal from a set-piece which we should defend better. “We just never got going in the second. “It is frustrating that we are not scoring when we are on top in games.

“Ultimately, no-one is going to give you anything in this league and Forfar defended well.

“It was disappointing that we never put them under more pressure though.

“It was a blow losing the goal right on half-time but we did it against East Fife as well. So we have to be at it from the first whistle against Peterhead and concentration is a big word for us.

“We need to make sure we are concentrating throughout the game and cut out the soft goals we have been giving away recently.”

Petrie admitted he is hoping his side’s luck will finally change and he would take winning ugly against Peterhead.

He added: “We just have to keep battling away and hopefully the harder you work, the luckier you get.

“If we get a break it might just kickstart the season. We would take one going in off someone’s backside or shin.

“But as I said, there are no easy games and we need to earn the right to go and win football matches.

“You are looking for that catalyst but it will be tough against Peterhead.”

Montrose will also be without Terry Masson who is still suspended.

Picture: SNS Group.