Rovers in double header

Aug 13 2008 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

ALBION ROVERS boss Paul Martin has injury worries to contend with as his side get ready to face Cowdenbeath – for the second time in four days.

The Cliftonhill outfit were scheduled to play the Fifers at Central Park last night in the second round of the Challenge Cup.

And this weekend Martin’s troops face the Third Division title hopefuls on league duty.

But gaffer Martin is without defensive duo Alan Benton and Chris Hughes, who have knee and hamstring injuries respectively.

Young midfielder Callan Adam is also out until next month with a knee problem.

Rovers are currently rock-bottom of the table after opening their league campaign with two defeats.

Martin remains unfazed however, and is confident his players will soon turn the corner.

He told the Advertiser: “The right centre-half position is becoming a bit of a jinx but Alan Reid or Ciaran Donnelly could slot in there if we need them to.

“We also have Martin McGoldrick who is doing well and he could get his chance.

“We may be bottom of the table but we are only four points from the top.

“It is important to get points on the board because we want to challenge at the right end of the table.

“We have made a positive start in playing terms but it hasn’t been a positive start in terms of points accumulation.

“It is hard not getting results - but performances help you get them and if we keep playing well, then the results will come.”

Martin was delighted with his side in their League Cup clash with Raith last week, only losing 4-3 on penalties after a gutsy showing.

He added: “I felt the players didn’t get the plaudits they deserved from anyone for how we played last Tuesday night.

“We created an unbelievable amount of chances and had a great opportunity of knocking a good Second Division team out of the cup.”

TEAM NEWS: Providing last night’s match didn’t add to Martin’s injury list, he will miss Benton, Hughes and Adam for the trek to Cowdenbeath. McGoldrick is a likely starter while striker Marc Pollock is pushing for a recall.