Tuesday 9th August 2022
MANAGER Stevie Farrell is hoping for good news at training tonight as Dumbarton prepare to face Annan Athletic on Saturday already without one key player.
Striker Ryan Wallace will be absent from the game against the Galabank club, due to personal commitments which were known about when he signed for Sons.
He scored the winning goal at Albion Rovers on Saturday, a fixture which saw a few walking wounded among the Dumbarton squad.
Kalvin Orsi, Finlay Gray and Ally Love all came away with knocks, but it is hoped that all three will be fit for Saturday.
With the players due to reconvene at training tonight, the gaffer hopes that the damage has not been too great – and that another player could return.
Speaking to dumbartonfootballclub.com, the manager said: “We are going to have to assess those players and the physio is in constant contact with them. We will know more at training tonight.
“We think that Kalvin sustained a dead leg, so he should be fine for Saturday, and so should Finlay.
“Ally hurt his back during the game on Saturday but is hopeful it was just a spasm and nothing worse. He was due to see a chiropractor on Monday.
“Ross MacLean did a fitness test before the game on Saturday and wasn’t quite there. It is a hamstring injury and you cannot rush recovery from those as they will just get worse.
“Hopefully he can be available this Saturday; if not, definitely for the Stenhousemuir game next week.”
Ahead of the Albion Rovers game, Stevie had warned against reading too much into reading some lowly predictions for the Coatbridge side.
That proved to be the case, as Sons had to leave it late before Wallace secured the second league victory of the campaign.
Stevie said: “It was the game I expected, and I think that predictions for them to finish bottom, I would not agree with those.
“I am happy to have come away with three points from there. They deserved to take the lead as we were not good enough for the first 20 minutes or so.
“Before the sending off I felt we were getting a foothold back in the game. It was then a clear penalty to equalise.
“We stressed to the players that we would have to be patient in the second half as Rovers were protecting a draw. We have players who like to go in behind the defence but we knew that they would defend their box.
“It was a great ball in from Ryan which caused confusion for the winning goal, and a great result for us.”
With the transfer window open for another few weeks, the opportunity remains there for Sons to add to the squad.
While options are being explored, the manager will only bring in players who are the right fit for the club.
Stevie said: “We will look at potential loans, but we are not going to do that for the sake of it. You have got to find the right one with a real feel for the club.
“We are looking for a certain type – I do not want to bring in the same type of player as Ryan Wallace or Declan Byrne.
“With the contacts I have, you can be assured that we will be looking at every single option open to us.”
The impending double header against Annan Athletic and Stenhousemuir may be viewed in some quarters as a real test of Sons’ credentials to be at the sharp end of cinch League Two this season.
But Stevie insists it is simply one game at a time, and all the focus is on facing Premier Sports Cup shock troops Annan this Saturday.
“People have told me that the other games have been markers. We are only taking it one game at a time and going about our business quietly and effectively.
“We will come in tonight and Thursday and focus our attentions on playing Annan Athletic, and Stenhousemuir will be the focus after that.”
Dumbarton Football Club