Cowdenbeath manager Jimmy Nicholl has had little time to get a side together in time for their Challenge Cup match away to local rivals Raith Rovers next Saturday.
Consequently, he will be focusing his attention mainly on his existing first team players in this weekend’s friendly away to Stenhousemuir.
Nicholl’s priority is to get as close as possible to the side who will line up against Raith next week and while he will have a number of trialists including some new faces in his squad this Saturday, the bulk of playing time will be given to likely starters against the Rovers.
The new Beath boss, who was appointed only three weeks ago as successor to Danny Lennon, got his first look at some of his first team in a competitive match against Ballymena last Saturday and then saw two more in action-central defender John Armstrong and striker John Dempster-in the Fifers’ disappointing 5-1 defeat at Brechin on Tuesday night.
Nicholl has been seriously handicapped in his preparations with the loss of half of Cowden’s promotion winning squad-with four players (Darren McGregor, Paul McQuade, Gareth Wardlaw and Peter Bradley) joining Lennon at St Mirren, Scott McBride moving to Raith and three other key men (Joe Mbu, Dene Droudge and Danny Mackay) set to miss the start of the season because of injury.
In addition, Nicholl has full back Kenny Adamson and midfielder Craig Winter doubtful for today’s game.
On the positive side, however, he has been impressed with his trialists, with youngsters Greig Stewart and Zane Powell catching the eye while experienced players, keeper Ludovic Roy and Dutch striker Patrick Samba, are expected to get another outing at some point in today’s game.
Roy (32) and 27-year-old Sambawere were in the Cowden squad at Brechin in midweek.
Nicholl said, “We know there are areas that we need to strengthen but I have been impressed with the lads and, while there is work to be done, we will be ready for the start of the season.”