McEWAN BREAKS WRIST AS INJURY HELL CONTINUES

Feb 15 2007 By Andy McGilvray

HAMILTON Accies goalkeeper Dave McEwan has been ruled out for several weeks after fracturing a wrist in training.

Raymond Jellema was already deputising for crocked McEwan, but with Michael White still struggling with a knee injury, the New Douglas Park club may need to use a trialist as ‘emergency back-up’ for Saturday’s clash against second-placed St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park in Perth.

Former Accies player Stewart Thomson (24), was borrowed from junior side Lesmahagow after their scheduled game was called off, and was substitute against Queen of the South.

Accies hope that 17-year-old White will recover in time for the visit of Dundee on Saturday, February 24.

Manager Billy Reid said this week: “Dave is well out of it as he fractured his wrist in a training ground incident, while Michael White is strugglingtol regain full fitness.

“These situations leaves us with problems again for the next match, and we’re looking to address those ahead of Saturday’s trip to face St Johnstone.

“We may bring somebody in as we’ve got our eye on a keeper, and hopefully that will happen before the weekend.”

But Reid’s squad should be boosted by the return of a few key players, who have recovered after lengthy spells on the sidelines.

He said: “Tom Parratt and Marvyn Wilson should both come back into the reckoning, and Derek Fleming got a good 90 minutes under his belt on Saturday, which he needed.

“Mark Gilhaney and Alex Neil both picked up knocks on Saturday, but should be available for the trip.

“Jamie McClen has been working really hard in training, his attitude is first-class, and he should start ball-work on Monday, so he might be involved in our home match against Dundee next week.

“It will be a big, big boost to have all these guys available.

“All of that is pleasing, because it’s as close to a full-strength squad as we’ve had this season, which provides competition for places.”

Reid praised his side for their performance in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Queen of the South, saying it was “as good as it gets”.

The New Douglas Park side created several excellent chances in what was easily one of their best performances this season, particularly in the first half.

And Reid wants them to take that into Saturday’s clash in Perth.

He said: “St Johnstone have beat three SPL teams, Rangers, Falkirk and Dundee United, in cup competitions this season, and budget-wise they’re closest to Gretna in this league, so we know it’s going to be tough.

“They’re a big, strong side, but we’ve had two draws against them this season and we’re looking to win this time.

“What we need to do, though, is defend better at set-pieces because they batter the ball into the box where they have big guys trying to get on the end of it.

“If we match that, we can then go on and play, and hopefully produce a similar performance to Saturday’s.

“I thought we were exceptional, particularly in the first half, but I thought Queen of the South also played well, so it was a decent-quality First Division game.

“I’m obviously disappointed, as the home team, not to have taken the three points but that’s football.

“But, in terms of quality, I think our first-half showing was the best I’ve been involved in as a manager.

“That is as good as it gets, in terms of playing the game at this level, and although we will add a wee bit of experience to the team with players coming back, the guys out there earned the jersey, as far as I’m concerned.

“If we had won the game, we would have been sitting here saying it was a sensational performance.

“You need to take the positives out of football, and there were plenty there for me.

“We made plenty of chances, scored a fantastic goal by David Winters, who was sensational, rightly got a penalty, and we should have had the game dead and buried at half-time.

“I thought some of the football was excellent, there are a lot of young players in the team, we play the right way and I can’t fault that.”

Reid is delighted at the progress Accies have made this season, and believes it augurs well for next season.

He said: “We’ve got some excellent kids in our team and while we need more steel in certain areas and to give them a hand, the experience they’re gaining is invaluable.

“We’ll stick with the young boys here, that’s what the club is all about, and they’re developing as young football players.

“It was never going to be a quick fix at this club, but I am absolutely delighted in the direction we’re going, and I think we’ve made real progress.

“I still think some of the fans out there could be a wee bit more patient; three quarters of them are great, but you still get that wee element, and I don’t know what they want from the players.

“Is it just a case of turning up and winning at all costs, and punting the ball up the park?

“I know people seem to be despondent when we get pushed back, but they need to realise that we’re playing against another team.

“In Saturday’s case, Queen of the South are a team that is fighting for its life and who have signed seven quality players, some from Kilmarnock, and guys like Stevie Tosh and Stephen Dobbie.

“They’re not just going to lie down and let us run over the top of them, and that’s what people don’t seem to understand.

“I can tell the fans that we’re not resting on our laurels; we know we need to strengthen and in what areas, and we’re working hard on getting more players in for the summer.”