Doherty injury dents dream QPR chance

Albion Rovers manager Brian Reid says Kyle Doherty’s chances of a dream move to QPR have been dented after an injury which rules him out until 2022.

The 20-year-old forward was recently invited on trial with the English Championship club and impressed the London side enough that he was scheduled to return for a second trial.

But while the extent and full diagnosis of the injury is unknown, it will rule Doherty out of action until at least January, possibly later. He has scored seven times so far this season.

The striker missed the weekend’s match with Kelty Hearts, in which the League Two leaders thrashed the Wee Rovers 6-1. Reid’s side sit eighth in League Two.

The Cliftonhill boss confirmed: “kyle Doherty will be out until mid-january at the earliest.

“It seems to be story of the season. I don’t think I’ve had a full squad to pick from.

“Of course it’s a big blow for Kyle and he will be disappointed. It will knock his chances a bit at the moment. He’s worked really hard to get

his match fitness up. It’s a blow to him with teams looking at him.”

Declan Byrne meanwhile has had knee surgery but Reid expects him to be back in the New Year.

Reid added: “declan’s had an operation. It will be early January before we see him.

“When we have everyone fit and available, we have a decent squad. But when you have five and six out at a time it’s hard. You want a bit of consistency but the players who are fit need a bit of a hand at times.”

Injury troubles were apparent against Kelty as Reid was forced to call upon players from the club’s reserve team to make up the numbers.

But he says that’s part of life being Cliftonhill boss. He said: :“we have got five or six players missing again and these are players who would play in our team. Jamie Leslie, Declan Byrne, Kyle Doherty, Max Wright. Big players.

“We have been very unfortunate with injuries and against Kelty Hearts we had to bring back Aldin El-zubaidi and Scott Roberts.

“They aren’t match fit and they’ve not even played a reserve match.

“They’ve not played for months. We had to call up a few of the younger boys from the reserve squad to make up the bench. But that’s where we are at as Albion Rovers. We have a small squad and a small budget.

“We’ve had a lot of bad luck with injuries this year and when we get that, it can affect us.”

Ruled out Kyle Doherty, right