The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Howie back in Lovat fray
Defender in squad for Shiel semi-final
Lovat defender Drew Howie, who broke his collarbone against Oban on May 8, is in the team squad for tomorrow’s Artemis Macaulay Cup semi-final against Kinlochshiel at Beauly.
Manager John MacRitchie is delighted to have Howie available again after his long absence.
He said: “Drew played in part of last week’s game and has suffered no reaction, so he’s in my plans as wetry to win this trophy for the first time since 1953. It’s a major bonus to have him fit again.
“Kinlochshiel beat us 5-2 in March but we’ve progressed since then.”
Daniel Grieve has returned from holiday to line up for Lovat, while Ryan Ferguson and Lorne MacKay are available to make comebacks.
Kinlochshiel, who have never won this trophy but are enjoying an exciting campaign, have young forward Oliver MacRae back from holiday but defender C al um Ma clean remains on the injured list.
Manager Colin Fraser added: “Defender Donald Nixon took a bad knock last week and is making slow progress. It’ll be a late decision whether he makes it.”
Grant Irvine, the Kyles and Scotland midfielder, has had a plate inserted in a broken arm and will be out of action for most of the season, starting with tomorrow’ s Artemis Macaulay Cup semi-final against Inveraray at Mossfield (1.30pm).
Irvine sustained the injury in the Camanachd Cup replay defeat at Spean Bridge and Kyles secretary Mick Atkinson said: “It has turned out to be a really bad one with an X-ray revealing the break being followed by surgery to insert the plate.
“It’s a nightmare for Grant, who was out with knee trouble earlier in the season. He’ll be on the sidelines for at least two months and we’ll have to wait and see if he plays again this year.”
Meanwhile, Donald, Grant’s brother and former international, has returned from a medical secondment in Australia but will not be available regularly for the Blues.
“Donald is back from Down Under but has a new job in Aberdeen and will be living there,” said Atkinson. “It means he can play in some games but not in others and he’ll assess it on a week to week basis.”
David Zavaroni’s long spell with a back injury is at an end and he will play in the cup tie which is a tonic for Athletic. Cammy Keith returns to their side but Roddy Macdonald is unavailable.