Tam McManus set for Ayr United debut

Feb 5 2010 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

NEW signing Tam McManus will try to send his old team spinning from the Scottish Cup in a dream debut.

McManus, 28, looks set to partner Mark Roberts in attack when Ayr head to Dundee on Saturday.

And boss Brian Reid wants Ayr to cash in on Dundee’s home jitters.

He said: “They have lost twice recently at Dens to Airdrie and Ross County. And we had chances to go 2-0 up when we played there in December.

“On another day, we could have won that game but they got goals from Griffiths and Harkins which flattered them. We’ll go there with great belief for reaching the quarter-finals is a big incentive.”

Junior Mendes, Kevin James and Billy Gibson remain on Ayr’s crock list.

And with Ryan Stevenson joining Chris Aitken, Bryan Prunty, David Gormley and Neil McGowan in moving during the window, Ayr’s resources are stretched.

Only Chris Mitchell (loan from Falkirk), Rocky Visconte (loan from Hearts) and McManus have come in.

Reid said: “It’s not been a gamble on my part. I had to make us better and free up some money. Letting players go has been in the best interests of the club.”

Mendes hasn’t trained with a hamstring problem while James, who has an ankle knock, is improving after working with the physio. He could train on Wednesday but the game may be too soon. Gibson played in a bounce game on Saturday but is still troubled with a groin strain.