The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
City pair on comeback trail
Dods will use tie to allow returning duo chance to build up fitness
Brechin City’s two comeback men will get the chance to build up their match fitness in the Irn-Bru Cup tonight.
Andy Jackson and Ryan McGeever are both expected to feature at Peterhead after coming through Saturday’s win against East Fife unscathed.
Manager Darren Dods said: “Ryan played the whole 90 minutes.
“He took a whack on the ankle which was operated on, and hasn’t had a problem, so that will give him confidence that the surgery has worked.
“Jacko played 70 minutes. He showed some nice touches and caused the East Fife defence problems.
“They’ll both be in the squad again.” Dods added: “It was great to get the win in the league at last. It’s been a long wait and six minutes of injury time didn’t help.
“The boys will take confidence from that and hopefully we can build on it.”
Dougie Hill and Callum Tapping are suspended, while Paul McLean, Jordan Tapping and Jordan Sinclair are injured.
l Forfar’s Dale Hilson is an injury doubt as the Loons seek to follow-up their impressive league win at Dumbarton with another victory in the cup tonight.
Jim Weir’s men are away to Livingston Colts and the Station Park boss is likely to make a few changes, with Hilson one of those who may not feature.
He said: “Baird and Hilson have gelled really well so far. They are going to be very important for us this season.
“Hilson might be a doubt for tomorrow night, though, after picking up a knock on Saturday.”
Weir added: “Aidan Wilson and Lewis Moore won’t be available because they will play for their parent clubs’ colts teams in this competition.
“We’ll need to call upon some of our younger players this season so this is a good opportunity to get them game time.”
Keeper Marc McCallum will definitely miss out through suspension, a ban that carries over from last year’s competition.
Weir said: “We want to win every game we play and this is no different.
“As well as progressing in the cup it would keep confidence up after our win on Saturday.”
l Tonight’s Fife derby has come at a good time for Cowdenbeath and visitors East Fife as both sides look for a boost after losing their first two league games.
Blue Brazil manager Gary Bollan said: “We want to get the Annan game out of our system quickly so I am delighted that we are playing again so soon.
“I am also delighted that we are getting going again in a game that means so much. It is a cup tie and a derby match so we will be well up for it.”
Jason Talbot will again miss out with a knee injury and Jamie Pyper is a doubt after limping out of the warm-up at the weekend.
Anton Dowds will lead the Methil men’s attack provided there has been no reaction to his return as a substitute in the defeat at Brechin at the weekend after a hamstring problem.
l Raith boss Barry Smith will have one eye on Saturday’s league derby with East Fife when he selects his team for tonight’s tie with Aberdeen Under-21s.
He said: “The league is the priority – simple as that.”