Stenhousemuir v East Fife: Clarke making way back from injury

East Fife striker Pat Clarke was expected to resume light training last night as he recovers from injury.

The 28-year-old forward has been missing from the Fifers’ front line since the January 11 game against Rangers at Ibrox, when he suffered a complex dislocation of his shoulder.

Extensive ligament damage was done in that incident but Bayview boss Gary Naysmith reckons the player’s rehabilitation is going well and confirmed he would be involved in training this week albeit the less physical side of it.

“Pat is coming along nicely and I think he’s about two to three weeks away, so it will be good to have him back when he comes back,” he said.

“Pat may start dipping in and out of training with some of the passing but he’s not ready for any contact yet.”

Ahead of the game at Stenhousemuir on Saturday, Naysmith, who confirmed that striker Nathan Austin probably will not be risked this weekend, added that he is unlikely to pick himself in the first XI for the trip to Ochilview.

“I’ve only really played because we’ve been short of bodies but there are boys coming back so I’ll be taking a back seat,” he said.