Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Hopes duo will be fighting fit for Raith clash
DUNDEE boss Gary Bowyer is hopeful of having Paul McGowan and Ben Williamson available for the weekend trip to Raith Rovers.
Experienced midfielder McGowan was absent for Saturday’s league opener against Partick Thistle and proved a big miss for the Dark Blues as they went down 3-2.
He had picked up a knock to his calf in the run-up to the game and was unable to shake it off.
Williamson, meanwhile, made his first start for Dundee since arriving on loan from Rangers.
His day was short-lived, however, as he limped off after just 27 minutes.
After the Thistle clash, Bowyer revealed the Scotland U21 international had suffered a reocurrence of a knee problem he’d had earlier in the summer.
But he’s been back at his parent club for treatment and is in with a chance of returning to Raith Rovers this weekend, where he spent the latter half of last season on loan.
“Paul McGowan has a knock on the calf so we will have to see how he goes for the rest of the week,” Bowyer said.
“Ben Williamson took a bang on the knee the week before so he’s been to see the Rangers physio.
“Hopefully a week of intensive treatment will have him right for the weekend.”
Meanwhile, Bowyer will be expecting a response from his side as they look to kickstart their Championship challenge in Fife this weekend.
However, despite Rovers going down to newly-promoted Cove Rangers in their opener, the Dens boss anticipates a difficult afternoon at Stark’s Park.
“Raith Rovers had success last season in the cup and I have watched their game from last weekend already,” he added.
“They will be smarting from a defeat so they will give us a tough game and will expect the same from us.
“We have watched a few of their games.”
While Dundee work to get their injured players back fit and available as soon as possible, one player has not rejoined the squad since the end of last season.