Dick Campbell has had his options severely limited for today’s Scottish Cup clash with Queen’s Park.
A trio of loan players are cup-tied, another has returned to his parent club with injury, and two of his own players are also sidelined.
“I’m disappointed that the loan boys can’t play (Dundee’s Andy Black, Scott Martin from Hibs and Michael Rose of Aberdeen),” Campbell admitted.
“Lewis Allan has gone back to Hibs and Travis and Dunlop are injured.
“So that’s seven out of my 21 straightaway. I’ve had to bring a couple of young lads into the squad.
“But you’ve just got to go with what you’ve got, and I named my team at training last night.
“I’ve got a strong squad and I was very happy with how we played at Stranraer last week. We never looked like losing a goal.”
Forfar start the road to Hampden at Hampden. Getting to the final may be the stuff of dreams, but being in the hat when the big boys enter the competition in the next round certainly isn’t.
Campbell said: “We’re the same as everybody else. We want a cup run. We’ve got a good record.
“But we’re not looking any further than Queen’s Park. I watched them myself a couple of weeks ago and they’re going well in League Two, so it will be a tough game.”
Meanwhile Campbell has compared Martin to a young Scott Allan.
He said: “He’s been an absolute breath of fresh air to everybody at our club since he came here. He’s got a natural enthusiasm that I love. He’s a little buzzbomb. He works so hard. He just runs and runs and I love him to bits. He strikes me as being a young Scott Allan. He’s got a big chance of making it. He’s only 18, so he’s got plenty time.
“The likes of Johnny Russell and Scott Allan and all the other boys I have had have all gone back to their clubs better players, and I expect Scott Martin to do the same.”
Lewis Allan is beginning his recovery process following surgery to remove a bone cyst from his thoracic spine.
He developed symptoms a few weeks ago and it became evident that the cyst required to be removed. Surgery was performed at the Western General Hospital earlier this month and the surgeons are anticipating a full recovery. It is expected that he will return to training at Hibs towards the end of February.