Elgin City manager Jim Weir has challenged some of his fringe players to stake their claim by securing a victory against League 2 leaders Forfar today.
City have several injury concerns, most notably leading scorer Shane Sutherland, who will miss out and will undergo a scan on his knee injury tomorrow.
Defender Matthew Cooper has also been ruled out with a hamstring injury, while skipper Archie Macphee and midfielders Chris Dodd and Keiran Stewart are doubtful.
Attacker Ali Sutherland is expected to be fit after being forced off in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw against Cowdenbeath with a facial injury.
Although the Black and Whites will be under-strength, Weir says the players coming in must grab their opportunity.
He said: “It’s a big game and whatever we’ve got fit we’ve got to try and get the best we can out of the players we’ve got.
“We are a bit short in numbers but I’ve got to have a bit of faith the players who come in can do themselves justice and get a vital three points.
“We have lost our main forward at the worst possible time, with the two midweek games we’ve had within the last five matches.
“We had a number of players who were really struggling on Tuesday but we couldn’t make any more changes, so it was like the walking wounded towards the end.
“I’m pleased with the effort I got from my players after the goal and the disappointment of last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat by Annan. The reaction we got was much better.
“We need to keep trying to win games.”
City are nine points behind today’s opponents but the Loons have suffered a dip in form having failed to win any of their last five games.
Weir says a victory is essential to maintain any title hopes, with the Elgin manager intent on strengthening his side’s grip on the play-offs.
He added: “Forfar are one of the teams we haven’t beaten this year but we have played well in the three games without managing to get the result.
“Anything other than a victory would make it difficult for us to challenge for top honours as the season draws to a close.
“It would also increase our play-off chances if we can get a result.”
