Elgin City manager Gavin Price is hopeful injury absentees Craig Beattie and Brian Cameron will not face long periods on the sidelines.
Price has ruled former Scotland international forward Beattie, the summer signing from Edinburgh City who now plays primarily as a defender, until at least the opening League 2 match away to Annan Athletic on August 4 due to a thigh strain.
Midfielder Cameron is struggling with an ankle problem, with both players missing today’s Betfred Cup group fixture away to Championship side Ross County.
Price said: “Craig will definitely be out for the Betfred Cup campaign, but with he’s a good personality to have around the dressing room, he’s a positive guy and his experience of playing at the very top level can rub off on others.
“Brian has an ankle injury, but hopefully he won’t be out quite as long.”
Price this week added former Montrose attacker Kerr Hay and defender David Banjo, last with Selkirk, however the City boss revealed a loan deal for Arbroath striker Kane Hester could be scuppered.
Price added: “We are still hopeful of signing Kane but he is doing pretty well for Arbroath so that is on hold. That’s something that may or may not happen, but I still think we need another striker to complement the squad, so I need to leave room in the budget for that.”
Elgin’s match against the Staggies in Dingwall marks the start of their competitive action for the campaign, and Price said: “With Ross County coming down from the Premiership it will be a big test. We have said all along that for part-time clubs this is an extension of pre-season.
“We’ve got four games against teams from higher leagues, which will help us to build up from the standard we have played against.
“We are going to do our best to qualify from the group – we will give it our best shot.”
