Raith Rovers boss Dougie Imrie on why Ross Millen missed ICT game and fitness update on Anton Dowds
Raith Rovers gaffer Dougie Imrie has revealed why defender Ross Millen wasn’t in the squad for last Saturday’s 2-0 William Hill Championship victory at Inverness Caledonian Thistle, as well as providing an update on the fitness of forward Anton Dowds who was crocked after 54 minutes of the fine win at the Caley Jags.
The 43-year-old Stark’s Park supremo – whose team can go top of the table if they win by three goals at home to Arbroath this Saturday – told the Fife Free Press that Millen, 31, had picked up the knock during a training session in Kirkcaldy in the build-up to facing the Highlanders.
Imrie said: "Ross got a kick in his calf, so we need to be careful with that. It was quite a severe bang in training.
“Obviously, with the squad being so strong at the moment, training is going up a few notches.
"People are jostling to impress, and all that kind of stuff that happens when you've got a strong squad.
"A couple of people had to go in from training today (Tuesday) after taking one or two kicks so we need to assess them.
"Hopefully it's just minor knocks. But I don't mind that as a manager.
"You want everybody at it in training and in games. You've got to pick up knocks here and there, but we'll assess them and see where they are.
"Everybody's at it in training, which I like, but we just need to make sure we don't go OTT and pick up needless injuries.”
On Dowds’ fitness, Imrie added: “He's just got a severe rolled ankle. He went to take a touch in turning, and unfortunately it was planted and the boy just came right through him. It's twisted the bottom of his ankle.
"So, again, it’s just precautionary with him. We'll just ease him in the next couple of days. Obviously, yesterday he never trained and he never trained today.
"But we'll see how he goes in terms of training tomorrow.”
At least Dowds’ injury saw fellow striker George Oakley’s return to the pitch as a substitute after recovering from injury.
Imrie added: “It's great to see George back. We've been missing him as well.
"So, it gives me that option: ‘Will I go with the two of them or will I go with one and bring the other one on?’
"We've got plenty of options.”