The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Double blow for County
Gardyne and Graham are sidelined
Ross County have been dealt a double injury blow, with midfielder Michael Gardyne and forward Brian Graham facing spells on the sidelines.
Ross County have been dealt a double injury blow, with midfielder Michael Gardyne and forward Brian Graham facing spells on the sidelines.
Gardyne has been ruled out for a month with an ankle injury sustained in training during the international break, while Graham has been suffering from a groin problem in recent weeks, and is awaiting news on the extent of the injury.
Staggies manager Jim McIntyre is disappointed about losing the pair but has challenged other members of his squad to make the step up.
McIntyre said: “Brian is away to see a specialist because he’s been having problems with his groin for weeks now, which we have been trying to manage.
“Michael went over on his ankle on Thursday and will be out for four weeks.
“It’s not ideal when we lose a couple of players but that’s why we have a good squad and it does give others an opportunity to come in and stake their claim.”
McIntyre expects better news on the fitness of goalkeeper Scott Fox and defender Jamie Reckord, who have been out recently with respective ankle and hamstring injuries.
The County manager added: “Scott is back on the training ground and hopefully he will join in later this week with the rest of the squad. He is coming along nicely. Jamie is doing a bit of running on the training ground, so hopefully he will join in later in the week also.”
The Dingwall men re- turn to action this weekend with a Premiership fixture against Motherwell at Victoria Park after last weekend’s international break.
McIntyre is itching to get back to action having been idle for nearly a fortnight and said: “That’s the third international break we’ve had this season and it’s one too many for me. It’s been very stop-start so we are raring to go now.”