Another injury blow for Raith Rovers

The new signing was taking part in his first training session after a previous thigh strain when he badly damaged his foot.

Team boss John McGlynn says this latest injury, along with another to right back Regan Tumilty, has left him seriously short of options at the back with just one more friendly to come before the team’s first competitive match against East Fife in the Betfred Cup on October 10.

“Frankie’s injury was bad enough that he had to go for an x-ray last Friday morning,” he said.

“There was no break but there is ligament damage there so we estimate he’ll be out for six weeks.

“Regan Tumilty has damaged his hamstring. It’s not serious but he’ll be out for a couple of weeks. With a bit of luck he’ll be available for the East Fife game.

“It’s a bit of a blow because since he’s come in he’s been different class. He’s offering so much more for us in that position.

“He’s against the clock for East Fife but I hope he can make it because it leaves us with only four defenders.”

McGlynn says his squad is “down to the bare bones” and is cursing the team’s luck after a horrendous string of injuries before a competitive ball has even been kicked.

“Brad Spencer is due for a scan on his knee this week. He hasn’t taken part in any pre-season games which is a massive blow.

“Gozi Ugwu was injured against Stenhousemuir after just two minutes and will be out for two or three weeks. He might have a chance of making the East Fife game.

“Lewis Vaughan was back at the surgeon on Friday for an ultrasound scan. He got an injection into the area where he has been getting bother at the bottom of his hamstring.

“He’s to do nothing for two weeks and we might get him back into training next Friday. With some real luck he may make the bench for the Hearts game on October 13th.

“Lastly, Davo (Iain Davidson) hasn’t been able to train this week, but hopefully he will be able to on Thursday and Friday.

“We just can’t pick up any more injuries. If we do, we’ll be struggling.”

Despite the injury woes, McGlynn says he is pleased with what he has seen from his player in pre-season, with a 4-0 win over Berwick Rangers last Saturday being followed by a final friendly this weekend, when Rovers travel to play Brechin.

“It was a good run out against Berwick. It gave us a chance to express ourselves.

“The players are committed and have worked really hard.

“They’ve had loads of minutes on the park and it’s helped as we build up to the start of the season.

“We’ve continued to progress and the players are taking on board the information and the tactical things we’ve been going through.

“We’ve been working on different formations. We settled at the weekend on a 4-2-3-1, which we also played against Dundee United.

“We changed things slightly for the Falkirk game and did so again for the Stenny game.

“There’s an adaptability to the squad which is pleasing.”