Ayr United look to home double to lift them up the table

Oct 14 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

BRIAN REID is banking on a home double header to lift Ayr off the foot but warned: “We need to raise our game.”

Back to back games at Somerset against Livingston and Dundee give United the chance to start climbing.

For while Ayr have been toiling on the road, their home form is good with only Hamilton beating them at Tryfield Place.

John Robertson returns for the visit of Livi but Martyn Campbell is out until Christmas after a knee operation.

And Dean Keenan, who has been loaned to Rob Roy until January, goes under the knife this week for cartilage surgery.

Boss Reid is now speaking to an SPL team about a loan as he tries up to beef up his fading numbers.

He said: “I have spoken to a few people whose wage demands are excessive for us. I need to see what is out there as we can’t afford to lose key players.

“I need a couple even on short term deals until January. We had bad luck last season with Bobby Donnelly and Keenan – now we’ve lost big Martyn who is one of our most experienced players.

“I need a centre-half who can also play right-back but he has to be value for money.”

Reid watched Livingston lose 1-0 to Hamilton in the Ramsdens Cup semi-finals on Sunday but reckons they were the better team.

He said: “Livi should have won but Hamilton scored from a set piece. Iain Russell and Bobby Barr were lively while Kenny Deuchar was a battering ram.

“We are fortunate that our home form has been decent and that has to continue but we need to raise our game.

“We know the away form has to be sorted and it will be.

“Talk is cheap but we know that two wins with take us right back into the shake-up at the top.”

Andy Geggan didn’t train at Petershill on Monday night because of an ankle knock but Gareth Wardlaw, who has been toiling with a knee knock, was able to take part.