East Fife prepared for Cove trip as Covid-19 rules out Cowden players

East Fife head to Cove Rangers today for the first ever time on league duty – but it is not a trip into the unknown, according to manager Darren Young.

The Met hi l boss explained: “Balmoral Stadium is a new ground to our players but I know what it is like as I played there for an Aberdeen Legends team just after it had opened.

“I also know a lot of their players as they have a good, experienced group plus others who worked with my brother Derek at Aberdeen so we are not going into things unprepared.

“Cove will be a top six side this season in League 1 by the end of things I am sure of that.”

Ross Davidson is the only absentee with the midfielder missing out after being sent off in the New Bayview side’s last league outing back in March.

Cowdenbeath have confirmed two of the club’s players are self-isolating after one tested positive for Covid-19.

The Blue Brazil – who open their League Two campaign today against Annan – also revealed the second star returned a negative coronavirus test.

The Central Park duo had been in close contact.

Cowdenbeath said in a statement on Twitter: “We are now able to confirm that one of our players has tested positive for Covid-19.

“The player has been selfisolating since last Friday and will continue to do so until 20 October.

“We of course all hope that he will soon be restored to good health.

“In addition, another player who had been in close contact tested negative – he now is selfisolating for the requisite 14 days.

“Following consultation with key parties, including Scottish Government representatives, it was established that the club had operated within the agreed Covid-19 protocols and thus no other players/ staff were required to test or self-isolate.”

Craig Barr returns after missing out in midweek while Jamie Tod is banned.