Arbroath boss Dick Campbell is facing a major selection headache for this afternoon’s Angus derby against Forfar at Gayfield with up to five first-team regulars missing out through injury or unavailability.
The Red Lichties return to League 1 business following last week’s Scottish Cup home 3-0 victory over Berwick Rangers.
New signing Leighton McIntosh, who has penned a short-term loan until January, made an immediate impact on his debut, coming off the bench to net twice.
Campbell admits he may have to play the 24-year-old former Dundee striker from the start against Jim Weir’s Loons who will still be hurting after being dumped out of the cup by Highland League outfit Formartine United.
However, the veteran Arbroath manager who turned 64 along with his twin brother and assistant Ian on Wednesday, is looking for a belated birthday present in the shape of three points as his side continue to challenge at the top end of the table.
Campbell said: “I have major selection problems for the big derby against Forfar.
“Steven Doris will have his operation on his cruciate soon and it looks like he will be out for a year.
“Josh Skelly is continuing to have problems with his hamstring and we are sending him for a second scan this week to try to get to the bottom of it.
“Tam O’Brien had to come off early last week against Berwick and he is struggling for Saturday as is Gavin Swankie.
“Omar Kader is also unavailable due to a family commitment.
“So we could be without up to five players, all of which any club in this league would find hard to do without.
“We do have Leighton McIntosh available though.
“We signed him on a short-term deal last week and he could not have had a better start, netting with his first kick of the ball and then getting a second goal.
“It was an amazing start but Leighton has to convince me that he is better than what we already have at the club.
“He will probably be given a chance from the start against Forfar.
“I thought Jim was a good appointment for them and he will no doubt be looking for a response after last week.
“However, as ever, we will just take care of our own business and see where it takes us.
“I will probably go out for something to eat with the family to celebrate my birthday on Saturday night – hopefully with three points in the bag.”
