Arbroath striker Kieran Shanks has the chance to stake his claim as the club’s top striker, boss Dick Campbell says.
The 20-year-old forward started his fourth league game for the club last weekend, bagging his side’s equaliser against Inverness.
After his second league strike of the season, Shanks looks set for another start in The Lichties’ crucial home game against Cove Rangers.
The young striker was signed in the summer from Inverurie Locos as “one for the future” but, given Arbroath’s lack of goals, Shanks could be given a platform to shine.
Campbell says the former Dons youth prospect has earned his place in the team after impressing in recent weeks.
“Shanks will start the game because he deserves to,” he told Courier Sport.
“It’s up to him now to show me he wants to be the main man.
“It’ been a problem for us all season but we’re getting near the window again so I’ll certainly be bringing players in.”
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An away win at Gayfield would see Campbell’s men fall eight points behind the Aberdeen side, with the top seven in the league beginning to break away.
The Lichties boss doesn’t believe the result will determine the course of the season but hopes his side will put in a better display than they did in their first encounter, losing out 2-0 at the Balmoral Stadium last month.
Arbroath look set to be boosted by the return of skipper Tam O’Brien to the squad, but the clash will come too soon for Scott Bitsindou and Scott Stewart.
“Tam will play and Dale Hilson is back fully fit,” Campbell said. “The only two missing are Scott Bitsindou and Scott Stewart.
“The second half performance last week sent a clear message that there is no negativity at our club.
“There is a long way to go. I’ll see how the game goes tomorrow.
“It’s a big game. The poorest we have played this season was against them – that annoyed me – so I’m looking for a massive return tomorrow.”
