Dunfermline boss fearing long injury lay-off for Dow

Dunfermline have been dealt a huge blow after it was revealed Ryan Dow is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The former Dundee United and Ross County attacker picked up an Achilles tendon injury in the Fife derby victory over Raith Rovers a fortnight ago and is giving the Pars serious cause for concern.

The 29-year-old is currently in a protective boot after an initial hospital visit and will consult with a specialist for a second time today.

But manager Stevie Crawford admits the forecast is looking gloomy.

He said: “Ryan Dow has had an appointment with the specialist and he has a further appointment on Wednesday. But I think Ryan’s going to be out for the longer term.

“I don’t want to put a timescale on that at the moment until we find out more from the specialist.

“But it seems to be an issue with his Achilles.”

Meanwhile, the Pars are set to welcome back winger Dom Thomas against Alloa this weekend after he returned to training following a positive Covid-19 test.

The former Motherwell and Kilmarnock player was forced to sit out the games against Hearts, Raith and Arbroath after being forced into self-isolation.

John Mcglynn is happy Raith Rovers now have the ‘artillery’ for an assault on the Championship’s play-off places.

The Stark’s Park side, who currently sit second in the table, ‘beefed up’ their squad during the January transfer window, bringing in the loan quartet of Adam King from Dundee United, Rangers winger Kai Kennedy, Timmy Abraham from Fulham and Hibs attacker Jamie Gullan.

Coupled with the return from injury of Lewis Vaughan, Iain Davidson and Gozie Ugwu in recent weeks, Mcglynn is thrilled with the choices he now has right across his team.

He said: “We’ve got good options. At full strength, we’ll have loads of options, although I’ve never been at full strength and it would be silly to think we would ever get there.

“But we have beefed up so that if we get injuries, if we get suspensions, if we get Covid then we’re hoping we’re still on the pitch and playing at a good standard.

“That’s why we’ve done it. We didn’t want to be caught short.

“We’ve got ourselves into a good position and we want to have the artillery to continue.”

Ryan Dow.