Raith boss Gary Locke admits he has not given up hope of Mark Stewart featuring in tomorrow’s derby at Dunfermline – just 48 hours after undergoing surgery on his wrist.
The striker cracked a bone two weeks ago at Falkirk and it had been hoped that he could continue to play with a cast.
However, it was ultimately decided that an operation was the best course of action and the Rovers boss faces an anxious wait to see if Stewart can play against the Pars.
Speaking at the club’s Glenrothes training base yesterday, Locke revealed: “Mark’s getting an operation this morning so he’s going to be extremely doubtful, I would imagine. There’s still a wee chance he could be available.
“It’s a blow for us because he’s scored three goals in two games and he’s got himself back in the team.
“We’ll give him every chance but at the minute, he’s extremely doubtful.
“He actually did it in the Falkirk game two weeks ago when he fell.
“He said it’s gradually got worse and he’s been struggling to change his kid’s nappies and things like that – which I don’t think’s a bad thing!
“He’s been struggling with it and he needed to get it done, and this was the only time we could get it done.
“We’ve got to take medical advice on what happens next, so we’ll see what the surgeon says and we’ll speak to the physio, and make a decision on Friday.”
Locke was already resigned to being without Bobby Barr who injured his knee against the Bairns and he is hoping the winger will be back sooner rather than later.
The manager said: “Bobby is a huge blow as well. He’s had a great season so far.
“It is good news in as much as he doesn’t need an operation, but it’s bone bruising and it just depends how quickly it settles down.
“Sometimes it can take four weeks, sometimes it can take eight, sometimes it can take 12. It just depends on his body.
“It’s a blow for us but it’s one area of the pitch where we do have strength in depth, with Chris Johnston fit again and Scott Roberts and Joel Coustrain.
“At least it’s not an injury to a position where we don’t have any cover.”
Last week against Queen of the South, Locke took the unusual step of having two goalies, Aaron Lennox and Conor Brennan, as subs and he explained his reasoning behind the decision saying: “We didn’t have enough bodies to fill the bench with outfield players, so rather than leaving a goalie out I just felt it was good to get the two of them involved.
“Hopefully it never comes to the stage where I have to play two goalies as subs.
“But rather than leaving one in the stand and one doing the warm-up and then being on the bench, when I’ve not got enough subs it keeps the two of them involved.”
Dunfermline only have eight points to their name after 11 Championship matches but Locke is certainly taking nothing for granted.
He believes that East End boss Allan Johnston and assistant Sandy Clark have assembled a quality squad and he has no doubts they will pick up – after tomorrow.
Locke added: “It’s that kind of league and if they win a couple of games they’re going to be moving up the table.
“It’s not as if they’re too far adrift. A couple of wins and they’re up there challenging.
“Looking at their squad, which is really good, and knowing Allan and Sandy as I do, they’ll turn things around.
“Okay they’ve had a couple of indifferent results but they’re a quality side. I’ve seen a lot of them and they’ve got loads of quality through their squad.
“They’ve a great management team. I’ve worked with Allan very, very closely when I was at Kilmarnock and he’s a great manager.
“I’ve certainly no doubts they’ll pick up but hopefully it will be after the weekend.”
Raith won the bragging rights in the first game between the sides this season at Stark’s Park but Locke knows Dunfermline will pose a different challenge on their own patch roared on by a big support.
He said: “It will definitely be an open game. Knowing Allan and Sandy as I do, they like to have a go and they like to entertain.
“That’s the way I like to manage as well.
“It will be a hard game. In the last match, although we won it, there was nothing in the game at all.
“The last time we were at home and it will be a completely different game now going away.”
