Injury worries for Cans ahead of Scottish Cup

INJURIES and decisions cost Forres as they lost 3-1 to Rothes on Saturday, according to Cans boss Charlie Rowley.

Forres were 3-1 down at half time and despite an improved second half performance couldn't get back into the game.

Goals from Jack Maley, Scott Davidson and Jaime Wilson had Rothes ahead before Andy MacRae got one back for Forres.

Mechanics lost defender Graham Fraser after he had to be taken off on 23 minutes with a cut to his eye, which later required 10 stitches.

And Rowley now has concerns over Stuart Soane and Stuart Knight ahead of this weekend's Scottish Cup game.

Rowley said: "We had a difficult start and we didn't really recover. Rothes were considerably better than us and a couple of decisions should have went our way but that is not taking away how good they were and how bad we were.

"It was one of them days that nothing really went for us in terms of our performance and injuries.

"We drastically improved after the first half hour and we actually could have got ourselves back into it with the chances we created in the second half but it wasn't to be so we just lick our wounds and try and regroup ahead of a massive game for the club on Saturday."

Forres welcome Lowland League side Civil Service Strollers to Mosset Park in the first round of the cup.

Rowley's assistant Craig Ewen watched the Edinburgh-based side a few weeks ago to learn as much as possible about their opponents.

"We have bits and pieces but because you aren't actively in the same league it is really difficult to get a full picture of their strengths and weaknesses.

"We have done as much as we can in the short period of time since the draw so we won't be going in totally unsure of what they are about.

"When the draw was made they were second in the league but they have suffered a defeat so they are in the similar position to ourselves.

"We are expecting a very tough game and in my opinion it is a 50/50 in terms of who goes through so we will need to try and get back to winning ways."

Mechanics have a number of injury concerns ahead of the cup tie. Graham Fraser is a doubt and is due to get the stitches out on Friday.

Stuart Soane is struggling with a hamstring injury while goalkeeper Stuart Knight is a doubt for the game with a groin problem.