Pars and Raith hit by injury setbacks

Dunfermline have been dealt a massive blow after it was revealed Ryan Dow is set to miss all but the final few weeks of the season with an ankle injury.

The former Dundee United and Ross County attacker has been in the care of specialists since being substituted during the recent Fife derby win over Raith Rovers.

Following his latest hospital visit, the 29-year-old has been ordered to wear a protective boot for six weeks before a decision is made on the next steps in his recovery.

Manager Stevie Crawford said: “Ryan has seen the specialist and it is going to be a longer-term injury, but now we know where we’re at with it.

“He’s going to be six weeks in a boot and we’ll assess it at that point to see if he’s ready to start rehab after that.

“At the moment, he’s stuck in Dundee in his house but in a couple of weeks he’ll be back and down and around the gym and we’ll be working on him to try to get him back fit.”

● Lewis Vaughan’s injury jinx has struck again – but the Raith Rovers star could be back in time for next week’s Fife derby.

Vaughan made his comeback in October following 13 months out with a third cruciate knee ligament rupture, only to then be sidelined by associated hamstring problems.

Following further surgery to remove scar tissue, the 25-year-old made a welcome return to action last month.

After completing his first 90 minutes in two years in the league win against Dundee, the attacker had to be substituted at half-time in the 4-1 defeat to Dunfermline at the start of the month.

Manager John McGlynn said: “It looks like Lewis will struggle for this weekend with his thigh.

“We’ll get him back maybe for the week after.”