Elgin City defender Matthew Cooper is back from a two month ankle ligament injury absence but is refusing to take his place in the Black and Whites’ backline for granted.
Cooper returned to the side for last weekend’s 4-1 defeat at Stenhousemuir, having last played in the 4-2 win at Clyde on October 28 following a reoccurrence of the ankle injury he had initially suffered in August.
During his absence, former Caley Thistle defender Cooper has been impressed by the performances of youngster Cameron Eadie who has filled in at right back.
With Darryl McHardy back from suspension for today’s League 2 match at home to Stirling Albion, and Aaron Whitehead joining from Lochee United, Cooper knows he faces plenty competition for a place in manager Gavin Price’s rearguard.
Cooper said: “It has been a very frustrating campaign for me so far, after getting off to a good start.
“I damaged ankle ligaments in training before returning for a few games, but the injury reoccurred so I knew I had to make sure I was up to full strength this time.
“I have worked hard with the physio, Andy Jones, over the last six or seven weeks, doing strength work and exercises which will stand me in good stead for the rest of the season.
“It has been very frustrating watching from the sidelines, not being able to help the boys out.
“But Cameron Eadie has been the stand-out at the back so far wherever he has stepped in, either at full back or centre half. He has shown he can do a job.
“We have competition all across the back four which is what we need.”
Elgin have suffered a dip in form in recent weeks, with three defeats in their last four matches, with their last triumph a 5-1 win against Berwick Rangers on November 25.
Cooper is not concerned by the poor spell, with the 23-year-old adding: “We need to move on from last weekend at Stenny. We got ourselves back into it at 2-1 but gifted two goals away at the end which was disappointing.
“I’ve said before though, everyone has gone through a spell of dropping points. We just need to get back to winning ways as soon as possible and get ourselves back in the mix which I believe we are good enough to do.”
City would move level on points with today’s opponents Stirling, in fourth, with a victory at Borough Briggs but Cooper is wary of the Binos.
He added: “We know Stirling will be just as tough as our last few fixtures – they are up there for a reason.
“They have had a good start to the season so they will be looking to continue that but we are determined to get back in that group at the top of the table.”
