Raith Rovers defender might have to wait until 2015 to make debut

Raith Rovers defender Craig Barr could be sidelined for the rest of the year following surgery to cure a persistent knee injury.

The 27-year-old, who joined Rovers in the summer from Airdrie, is yet to make a single appearance for the Fifers after breaking down towards the end of pre-season.

A piece of fragmented bone was lodged in his left knee and, after undergoing an MRI scan and consulting a specialist, it was decided that Barr should go under the knife.

The experienced defender had the operation in Bradford last Thursday and has now returned to Scotland to begin rehabilitation.

Despite the procedure being consider a success, Barr still faces a lengthy lay-off before he can return to full training.

The best-case scenario would see him back in action towards the end of December but, with Raith unlikely to take any risks with the player, a comeback in early 2015 is a more likely timeframe.

Barr joins Kevin Cuthbert, Dougie Hill and Christian Nade on the treatment table as Raith battle early-season injury woes.