Weir has his work cut out as Loons lose back line

Forfar manager Jim Weir is facing a defensive crisis for his side’s trip to Ayr as his rearguard will contain, at best, only one recognised Loon.

Jamie Bain is suspended, Darren Whyte’s loan period from St Mirren has ended, Connor Quigley has returned to Northern Ireland after being told his deal with Dundee was being cut short, despite having two weeks left of a temporary spell at Station Park to run, and injuries have ruled out Michael Kennedy, Murray Mackintosh and Kevin McNaughton.

Michael Travis limped out of training this week and is a major doubt.

And with Clyde not allowing Andrew Munro to end his loan period early, Forfar are set to face the highest scorers in the country with a defence that will include teenagers and a trialist if Weir can get the paperwork sorted.

Weir said: “It is far from ideal and I have real concerns over the side I will pick defensively. It is incredible that we have so many players unavailable and, when you consider that we have lost our last six games and given away soft goals in every one, I will be working all the hours I can to come up with a strong defence.

“Ayr do not need any encouragement to attack teams so this could be a long afternoon, however we will go there and look to stifle them. Nothing is certain in football so you never know, we may just come up with something remarkable.”

Weir is understandably looking forward to the transfer window.

He added: “I have been working on new recruits to help and have one definite commitment so far, with three or four more looking good. Andrew will also come back from Clyde to help so it is a case of getting through the weekend and possibly starting afresh on Tuesday against Arbroath.”

Scott McBride, Marc Scott and David Cox are also out.

Paul McLean, in action against Aberdeen, is a doubt for Brechin.