Campbell giving nothing away as title race hots up

Lichties boss welcomes back key pair for derby clash with Gable Endies

With the League 2 title race edging closer to what looks like being a nailbiting conclusion, not surprisingly veteran boss Dick Campbell is giving nothing away in terms of team selection ahead of today’s Angus derby with Montrose at Gayfield.

The Lichties are breathing down the necks of table-topping Forfar, with the gap between the sides now just one point after Arbroath beat Berwick last week while the Loons were drawing at Elgin.

Campbell – whose team won the previous clash with Montrose only six weeks ago – will welcome back two key players to his squad for the game against Stewart Petrie’s side but will not reveal if they will start.

However, he will definitely have Rab Douglas on the Arbroath bench with the former Scotland, Celtic and Dundee keeper having signed a deal until the end of the season.

The manager said: “Josh Skelly is still out but Jassem Sukar and Eddie Ferns have recovered from injury and both come into contention.

“However, I will be keeping my cards close to my chest over whether they will come straight back into the team.

“What is certain is that Rab Douglas has returned to the club until the end of the season and I am delighted with this.

“I have been looking for an experienced keeper since Cammy Gill was recalled to Dunfermline and Rab fits the bill perfectly.

“He will be a great back-up to Ricky Gomes and will be on the bench against Montrose.

“It is another big game for us. It is a derby that means so much to both sets of fans and is obviously vitally important from a league perspective as well.

“We had a great win at Berwick last week which is never an easy place to go to and the gap with Forfar is down to just one point.

“However, we will continue to focus on ourselves and what will be a difficult game with Stewart’s Montrose side.”

Meanwhile, Petrie, who worked with Campbell at Dunfermline, Ross County and Forfar, is looking for his side to maintain their fine away form as they continue to try to secure their League 2 safety.

He said: “It was a massive result for the club to get a win against Cowdenbeath last week but there is still work to be done as this league is so tight.

“Saturday is a huge derby for the club and our fans.

“It is a big fixture and one we look forward to with Arbroath currently the form side in the division.

“The good thing is we have been really good on the road but it is absolutely vital that we do not concede early.

“Dick will have his players fired up but we will also be determined to pick up precious points.”

Long-term Montrose absentee Chris Hegarty took part in training earlier this week but Ryan Ferguson will miss out through injury, while Greg Pascazio is a major doubt because of illness.

Meanwhile Gable Endies defender Iain Campbell stepped up his return from a groin operation by turning out for Forfar in midweek in the testimonial match for Loons midfielder Martyn Fotheringham.

“His experience will be a great help to our squad,” added Petrie.

Veteran keeper Rab Douglas has re-signed for Arbroath.