PARS HAVE INJURY CONCERNS FOR DERBY

Dunfermline boss Peter Grant is facing a major injury sweat ahead of tomorrow’s Fife derby showdown with Raith Rovers.

Kai Kennedy, Craig Wighton and Nikolay Todorov were all withdrawn during the Pars’ 0-0 draw against Hamilton at the weekend.

Kennedy (ankle) and Todorov (foot) were both carrying knocks prior to the Accies stalemate and are being assessed ahead of the trip to Stark’s Park.

Indeed, Grant revealed that four regulars did not train yesterday morning, but stopped short of ruling anyone out of the Rovers clash.

“Unfortunately, we have probably lost a couple for the game and, with a quick turnaround, there is not much you can do about that,” he said.

“However, I will give everyone an opportunity to kick off. They might not get much training, if any, before then, but I won’t rule anyone out at this stage.

“This is part of football and I’m sure everyone in the division is the same.

“That’s why we’ve built a squad and, although it would be great if they weren’t all in the one position, we have to deal with it.

“If someone is unavailable, that is an opportunity for someone else to step in and stake their claim.”

Meanwhile, Grant admits he does not know how his players will handle the drama of a Fife derby in front of the BBC cameras until the first whistle blows.

“I hear ‘how do you handle big occasions?’ – but nobody ever knows until you cross the white line,” he said.

“People ask ‘what was it like to play in this game or that game?’

“It’s so difficult to describe. I suppose it would be like asking a lady what it’s like to be pregnant.

“But for that first league win to be a local derby would be magic.

“I would have hoped that first win would come a long time ago, but that hasn’t been the case – and getting that ‘W’ in front of our name is all that matters.”