Gable Endies gaffer hopes lengthy hiatus will not show on pitch

Montrose manager Stewart Petrie hopes his side can hit the ground running when they visit League One leaders Falkirk.

The Gable Endies return to action after the three-month suspension and Petrie admits he’s unsure of what lies in store.

He said: “We’ve had a mini pre-season if you like. We’ve only managed to play one game in the spell that we’ve been back, so I’m not entirely sure what Saturday will bring.

“Any team could have a bad start after such a layoff and it could really hinder them for the rest of the season, so we just need to take care of ourselves.

“We know Falkirk have quality all over the pitch and we cannot expect to take anything from the game if we are not at our best.

“We are not expecting everything to click into place straight away given we have not had a competitive 90 minutes since January but the boys have clearly put a lot of work in during lockdown and have come back in great shape.”

The Links Park side sit third, just three points behind their opponents and Petrie says what has gone before does not count, adding: “A lot of it will be down to luck, but with four games in 10 days at one stage we just need to try and get through as many games injury-free and hope we get the rub of the green along the way.”

Matty Allan is ruled out through injury while Lewis Hawke and Liam Callachan are rated doubtful. Terry Masson has returned to training. ● Forfar boss Stuart Malcolm hopes new striker Jordan Northcroft can help fire the Loons to League One safety as they return at Dumbarton.

The Station Park side have won just one of their opening 10 games and sit three points behind ninth-placed Clyde.

However, Malcolm believes his side can get out of trouble.

The Station Park boss, who has also brought in former Dundee United veteran midfielder

Graeme Holmes, bolstered his attacking options by securing the services of young St Johnstone forward Northcroft until the end of the season and reckons that the 19-year-old has a big future in the game,.

He added: “Jordan is a great prospect.

“He is still young but he has lightning pace and great feet.

“It’s good to get these young players involved and have them experience first-team football as well.

“Hopefully it can work well for both of us.

“We were also looking to add Alex Ferguson after he played in last week’s friendly game, but Callum Davidson wanted to keep him at Mcdiarmid so that never happened.”

Steven Doris is out after undergoing surgery and joins defenders Darren Whyte and Steven Anderson as well as midfielder Mark Hill on the sidelines.

● Bobby Barr admits he’d be “heart-broken” if his third stint at beloved Brechin ended in relegation – so is hellbent on staying up.

Barr is back at Glebe Park following his January transfer window switch from Angus rivals Forfar as Michael Paton’s League Two basement boys prepare to return to action at Stirling Albion today.

Barr said: “I’d be heartbroken if it happened that’s a fact.

“I’ve got an affinity with Brechin like no other club I’ve been to in the past. That’s why I’m back here for a third time.

“I jumped at the chance and now I just want to play my part in keeping the club up.

“It’s going to be a challenge – no doubt about it.”

Stewart Petrie.