Shankland in a race against time to be fit

Ayr hope Lawrence Shankland will return to boost their walking wounded at Inverness on Saturday.

United saw Liam Smith, Mark Kerr, Ross Docherty and Michael Rose play through knocks against Falkirk.

And their injury- hit squad faces a race against time to be patched up for the Highlands.

Boss Ian McCall said: “Most of the injuries are not serious but it’s hugely frustrating.

“We’ve been playing well enough and it’s fine margins in games at this level.

“You have to be clinical when your chances come along and that’s not something we’ve been in the last few weeks.”

Ayr hope Shankland, Rose and Docherty will be fit to make the trip north.

But there are doubts over Smith, Kerr, Jamie Adams and Andy Geggan.

Andy Murdoch is banned.