Forfar Athletic vs Airdrie United preview - Keast winning fitness battle

Posted Saturday, August 27, 2011 by PA

Forfar will be without Iain Campbell for the visit of Airdrie.

Campbell has an ankle injury that will keep him on the sidelines but midfielder Martyn Fotheringham is expected to shake off a knock in time for the game.

"Martyn should be fine and that gives us options," said assistant manager Ian Campbell, whose side are looking for their first league win.

"This is a game were we need to get the boxing gloves on and come out fighting. We have not been at our best yet and Airdrie never give you an easy game so this will be a hard encounter.

"We may have lost to Queen of the South on Tuesday but for long periods it was the best we had played all season and we can build on that."

Fraser Keast could be included in the Airdrie squad that travels.

The midfielder is on course to make a surprising recovery after being carried off on a stretcher against Raith on Tuesday night.

Manager Jimmy Boyle is hoping that Keast's ankle continues to improve and he can play, although Graham Goodall, Alastair Woodburn and John Boyle have all been ruled out.

"Fraser is a doubt but fingers crossed he will be available," said Boyle. "Beating Raith Rovers was a great result but we will not be resting on our laurels.

"Forfar have not made the best of starts and that probably makes this game even tougher. We will need to work hard again to achieve anything as (Forfar boss) Dick Campbell will have his men fired up to win this one."