Forres Mechanics’ Lee Fraser is relishing switching from goal-getter to goal-saver.
The 29-year-old has lined up at centre-back, rather than up front, during the Can-Cans’ last two fixtures against Buckie Thistle and Fraserburgh.
Injuries to Fraser’s twin brother Graham and also Ruari Fraser have meant it’s been a case of needs must for Forres.
Fraser said: “I’m happy to play anywhere really. I hurt my knee in pre-season and didn’t really play as much as I wanted.
“So I’m quite happy to be playing centre-half and getting minutes.
“It’s good to be playing and with the injuries we’ve got I’m happy playing at centre-half.
“I’ve enjoyed playing centre-half, it’s something different.
“I had quite a good battle with Scott Barbour on Saturday and I thought I did all right against him and was happy with how I played.”
Fraser is likely to continue at centre-back alongside Ross County loanee Connall Ewan when Forres face Keith at Kynoch Park on Saturday in the first round of the GPH Builders Merchants Highland League Cup.
Although Fraser is by far the more experienced of the pair he says it’s teenager Ewan that has helped guide him through games.
He added: “I’ve been really impressed with Connall, he’s only 16 but he’s really good.
“He’s solid and isn’t scared going in for tackles or headers and he’s done really well for us.
“With me not being a centre-half, he’s been talking me through the games and speaking a lot which has really helped me.
“I’m 13 years older and he’s speaking me through the game like the senior player which is really good.
“I’ve been really impressed with Connall since he joined us.”
Cup run on the agenda
Fraser is hoping Forres can go on a run in the League Cup as the Moray outfit try to win their first silverware since the Breedon Highland League title in 2012.
Standing in their way is a familiar foe, with Keith manager Craig Ewen a former Can-Cans coach under former boss Charlie Rowley.
Fraser said: “I know Craig well, he’s a good guy and a good manager.
“It will be a hard game, but hopefully we can carry on from Saturday (1-1 draw against Fraserburgh) and play in a similar way.
“We say every year that it’s hard to go and win the league so cups are a chance of silverware.
“It would be good to go on a run and maybe even win it, we’d all like to get a medal.
“If we play like we did on Saturday against any team then it will give us a shot at winning any game.
“We haven’t won anything since the league so if I’m coming towards the end of my career it would be fine to get another medal.
“If we play like we have been lately then hopefully we can get through on Saturday.”
