That’s a sore yin Buddie
Robinson fears for crocked Carson
STEPHEN ROBINSON admits he has “grave concerns” over Trevor Carson as the St Mirren keeper prepares to see a specialist amid fears of a recurrence of a serious knee injury.
The 34-year-old missed Saturday’s win at Cowdenbeath after complaining of a niggle in the same joint which kept him out for eight months two seasons ago.
Robinson is praying the Northern Ireland international is given the all-clear today. But he isn’t getting his hopes up.
Indeed the Buddies are already working on a list of potential loan targets should Carson be told the worst and require surgery that could keep him sidelined for months.
Rangers keeper Robby McCrorie is understood to be an option.
Robinson wouldn’t be drawn on the Scotland squad keeper but ahead of tonight’s trip to face Airdrie said: “It’s a concern, Trevor has had problems before. We don’t know if it’s the same injury or a reoccurrence. That’s why we are taking a lot of care with it.
“It would be a huge blow if he was to be out any period of time. He played the full game last week but felt a niggle in his knee and we are just getting it thoroughly checked out.
“It’s a grave concern. We haven’t got any more budget left.
“So it would have to be a case of whether we go with what we’ve got or if the board give us a but more to get an emergency goalkeeper in.
“We are guessing at the moment though and will wait to hear what the specialist thinks.”
Better news for St Mirren supporters is the return of Eamonn Brophy for tonight’s showdown and the delayed arrival of new signing Keanu Baccus who could feature at the weekend against Edinburgh City.
Meanwhile Robinson took another pop at the SPFL over the early start to the season which has seen Saints lose to Arbroath before beating Cowdenbeath in their group.
He said: “We lost a game but it’s a ridiculous time of year to be playing competitive games.
“You don’t have a preseason so how you are supposed to get people fit is almost impossible.
“Every manager thinks the same so someone has to look at it and try and do something about it.
“You pick up so many injuries because it becomes competitive way too early then you’ve got a really long season on top of that.
“We just have to pick up as many points as we can.”
Rhys McCabe reckons there is ‘no better game’ for his Airdrie side than tonight’s visit of Premiership Saints.
The Diamonds had a free weekend after beating Cowdenbeath and drawing with Edinburgh, with McCabe saying: “There is no better game to go and test yourself against players that are playing in the top league.
“It’s a good marker for the boys to realise what these guys do really well, and what we’ve been working on. The main thing is that we build on each performance, and each game we get stronger and stronger leading up to that first game of the season.”
We are guessing and will wait to hear from the specialist STEPHEN ROBINSON ON EXTENT OF CARSON INJURY