Ross County vs Ayr preview - Craig absence softened by McMenamin

Posted Saturday, October 01, 2011 by PA

Ross County will be without suspended striker Steven Craig again for their home clash with Ayr.

Craig sits out game three of his eight-match ban and has been joined on the sidelines by Michael Gardyne, who has a thigh injury.

But Dingwall boss Derek Adams has been boosted by the news that striker Colin McMenamin has off the knock that saw him substituted early on in last Saturday's 1-0 win at Raith.

Adams said, "We showed a dogged side to our game last week when we stuck at things until we got a late winner and we'll need to show that same level of resilience this time out.

"Ayr have had a couple of great results recently and Mark Roberts is a striker that we'll need to keep very quiet."

Ayr United will be without central defenders Martyn Campbell and John Robertson.

Campbell has a knee injury and Robertson is nursing a hamstring strain, but striker Gareth Wardlaw is expected to shake off a niggling knee problem to feature in the Highlands.

Manager Brian Reid is urging his side to build on the 1-0 success they enjoyed last week against Queen of the South.

Reid said: "That was a really important win, especially as we had a number of youngsters playing. They will feature again in this game and will need to deliver."