EAST FIFE goalkeeper Willie McCulloch is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines as he tries to recover from a serious bout of illness.

The 34-year-old, who is in his second spell at Bayview, was admitted to Glasgow’s Southern General Hospital last week suffering from viral meningitis, but has now been allowed to return home by doctors.

McCulloch is expected to make a full recovery, but manager Dave Baikie conceded that his first choice keeper was unlikely to play again until the end of April at the earliest.

“Willie was going to be transferred from Glasgow Southern to Monklands Hospital, but he basically pleaded with the doctors to allow him to go home to rest and recuperate, which they let him do,” he commented.

While McCulloch is recovering, Baikie added that deputy Craig Wight will stand in, with youth keeper Andrew Stobie again promoted to the first team bench.