Arbroath boss Dick Campbell has bolstered his squad ahead of today’s Championship match at Alloa with the addition of two highly-rated Hibs youngsters.
The Gayfield gaffer had suffered a blow with the news that midfielders Scott Stewart and Gavin Swankie will miss the next month because of injury.
Campbell moved quickly to bring Ben Stirling and Josh Campbell in on loan from the Easter Road side and both will be in the squad for the game against the Wasps.
The manager said: “We had a wee break last week but played a bounce game with St Johnstone.
“We have also brought in a couple of players on loan this week from Hibs until Christmas, Josh Campbell and Ben Stirling.
“That has freshened things up. They really look the part and will be on the bench at Alloa.
“Scott Stewart is out for four weeks with a groin problem as is Gavin Swankie with a similar type of injury.
“So we were going to be short of players which is why I have brought the lads in from Hibs.
“Alloa have already beaten us 2-1 this season in Arbroath in the League Cup which says it all.
“So I know how we are going to play and we will take it from there.”
Prophet-of-doom pundits have already decided that Arbroath and fellow part-time club Alloa will in all likelihood be relegated this season – with Campbell admitting he is irked by the way this game is being built up in certain quarters.
He said: “I think it is a bit ironic that we are just three games into the season and the Alloa match is being billed as a bottom-of-the-table clash.
“We have one point while the team in second place only has four.”
Arbroath are finding their feet in the Championship and ran Inverness close in the Highlands two weeks ago before losing out late on.
While pleased with the performance, Campbell is looking for his players to take some harsh lessons on board in terms of game management.
He added: “I thought we played well at Inverness but we really should have got something from the match.
“The critical thing from the Inverness game is that we lost a goal in the 46th minute. We never even took the centre and the half-time whistle went.
“We have to start to realise the timing of the game. They scored again with just a few minutes to go to win the match.
“We have to learn that there are times when you just have to see the game out.
“However, we didn’t and we just have to get on with it.”
