Murray: We can cope without duo

IAN MURRAY is confident Raith Rovers are going into this weekend’s SPFL Trust Trophy final in good shape – despite missing the twin attacking threats of Jamie Gullan and William Akio.

Murray has revealed Gullan’s season is over as he awaits a groin operation and on- loan Ross County forward Akio is celebrating an international call- up from South Sudan.

The pair would have added to the striking possibilities that were clearly in evidence for Raith as they hammered Cove Rangers 6- 1 on Saturday.

But Murray is happy with the options he has in the final third for Sunday’s encounter with Hamilton Accies.

He said: “Hammer [ Gullan] probably won’t play again this season. He had a consultation last week and he needs an operation. His recovery time is probably four or five weeks.

“It’s probably more important Jamie gets a good pre- season under his belt.

“He was doing really well and we’ve really missed him.

“We had to get to the bottom of it, which we think we have and hope we have, and that gives us an opportunity to fix him.

“William got called up late last week. We got the letter in from the FA so we have to let him go. It’s not ideal for us but we’ve dealt with these things already.

“We’re actually in decent shape, we’re going into the final with the strongest squad we’ve had in a while.

“We would have loved to have William available but Isma [ Goncalves] has been in good form and we’ve got Lewis Vaughan, Ethan Ross is back, Dylan Easton is scoring goals and Sam Stanton can play in any position.

“In those areas of the park we’re actually in decent shape.”