Macdonald to play through pain barrier

Captain’s survival spirit

Lochaber captain Brian Macdonald is hoping to recover from a broken thumb in time for the vital Marine Harvest Premiership derby against Fort William at Spean Bridge tomorrow.

“I broke it two weeks ago but it feels better and I’m very keen to play,” said the 26-year-old Caley Thistle community coach.

“I hope a workout on Saturday morning can prove I’m ready to do my bit.

“This will be my last homegameas club captain, so I’d love to be involved.

“I broke my cheekbone earlier in the season and this latest break is certainly annoying, but I’m more than ready to play through any pain.

“This is also our second last game, with a visit to Kyles Athletic still to come, and we need the points to stay up.”

Lochaber currently sit third bottom on 12 points. They are four points better off than Skye, who are in the automatic relegation spot but have four games in hand.

Defender Macdonald added: “We want to focus on keeping our fate in our own hands by winning our two games and not dependingonSkye keeping us up by losing a couple of games.

“We have been inconsistent but we have still got quality players here and this is the time for us to prove it.”

Barry Macdonald returns from suspension for the Red and Whites against the already-doomed Fort, who are still chasing their first victory of the season having drawn two and lost 14 of their 16 games to date.

But Niall MacPhee and company are out to show local pride in the derby.

Skye – who are also chasing a first win of the campaign – have Kenny Campbell fit again for their match against Kingussie at Portree as the islanders, who have drawn eight of their 14 games, try to kickstart the winning sequence needed to avoid their Premiership stay being a short one.

Kingussie willbewithout their Scotland under-21 international prospect Rory MacEachan because of a one-game suspension for a game in which the Badenoch side, currently only two points above Lochaber, need to secure a victory to avoid being drawn in to the relegation struggle.

Lovat’s Danny Kelly serves a one-game ban by missing the match against second-placed Oban Camanachd at Kiltarlity.

Full back Scott MacKillop has picked up a onegamesuspension through a Camanachd Cup final booking, forcing Oban to reshuffle their defence.

“This will be my last home game as club captain, so I’d love to be involved”

Kenny Campbell