ANDY IS OUT FOR A YEAR

Sep 13 2007 Ayrshire Post

AYR UNITED could be forced into the loan market after a horror knee injury ruled out Andy McLaren for a year and threw his career into doubt.

The 34-year-old has been given the shattering news that a scan has revealed a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

With long term crock Martyn Campbell out for another two months with a thigh injury, Ayr’s squad is now reduced to a threadbare 18 players.

Devastated boss Neil Watt revealed: “It’s a huge blow as Andy was the guy who got the fans excited at the end of last season.

“To get a player of his calibre was a real coup for us but the type of injury means that even the fittest of players need a full rehabilitation of between nine and 12 months. His contract is up in May and there is no chance he will be fit to play before then.

“It’s a similar type of injury to that which John Kennedy and Ian Durrant had so potentially it can put players out of the game.”

McLaren received the bombshell news after a going for a scan last week. He sustained the injury in the 2-2 draw at Brechin on August 18 but initially thought he would miss only a week.

With the transfer window now shut, Ayr have only the emergency loan market to plunder but that will be no formality.

Watt revealed: “To find a suitable replacement in the middle of September is not easy and players of Andy’s calibre are just not there.

“Bringing in a player on loan has to suit both parties and with us on a five game unbeaten run, there is not a starting place available.

“We have other players waiting in the wings who quite rightly think they deserve a chance.

“We will search all avenues but won’t rush and I would imagine we will try to get through the next two or three weeks.”

However, no one knows the loan market better than Watt and while boss at Stranraer, he lured Daniel Fox from Everton and Michael McGovern from Celtic to Stair Park. Now his extensive contacts book could well be called into action again.

Watt said: “We are now down to 18 players so injuries or suspensions mean we will be struggling to fill the bench. It’s a testing time for us especially as we have an attractive Challenge Cup quarter-final at home to Partick on Tuesday evening.”

Before then, Ayr head to Cowdenbeath on Saturday looking to make it four wins on the trot.

On Monday night, Ayr lost 2-1 to a Rangers U19 side that was bolstered by Kirk Broadfoot, Andy Webster, Ugo Ehiogu, Chris Burke, Alan Gow and Thomas Buffel.

A David Dunn free-kick counted for Ayr who were warmly praised for their efforts.

Watt revealed: “The biggest compliment came from Ian Durrant Kenny McDowall who said they were amazed by our fitness. Normally in these training games, they run over teams in the last 15 minutes but that wasn’t the case.”

lThere will be a minute’s applause before Tuesday’s game for associate director Tom Young who died last week.