Smith confident Rovers can cope without trio

Raith boss Barry Smith insists he has the strength of depth in his squad to be able to cope with the loss of three key players for Saturday’s crunch top-of-the-table clash with Ayr United, writes Neil Robertson.

The Stark’s Park gaffer was already resigned to being without the suspended Iain Davidson and John Herron for the trip to Somerset Park.

Now, though, it looks likely that another experienced player, midfielder Scott Robertson, will also be absent after sustaining a back injury against Arbroath two Saturdays ago.

It is the last thing Smith needed with only four points separating League One leaders Raith and the Honest Men.

However, the manager is certain he has players ready to step up and do a job as the tense title race edges to a conclusion.

“Smith said: “Throughout the season you are going to lose players to suspension.

“But we believe we have a good squad here to cope with that.

“John Herron is actually injured so he wouldn’t have made Saturday anyway.

“It doesn’t make it any easier as we are missing two experienced guys and Scott Robertson is a big doubt as well with a back problem.

“But that might give some of the young ones the chance to go and show what they are made of.

“Guys will get opportunities and we have the belief in the squad that we have here.”