Can-Cans set to pluck striker from transfer list

FORRES Mechanics look to be on the verge of adding Lossiemouth striker Ross Archibald to their team with a bid in for the Coasters leading scorer following the news that he was being placed on the transfer list.

Archibald, who is out of contract at the end of the season, was one of the main targets for Charlie Rowley this summer but the revelation that he has been placed on the transfer list has opened the door for the Mechanics to try and bring him in with immediate effect.

Rowley takes up the story, “We had a bid in for Ross earlier in the season but it was rejected. We notified Lossie that we would be talking to him as per the 6 month ruling and we subsequently agreed terms with him and he has said that he wants to come to us.

“That was a real boost for us as we have been looking to add some pace to the side for a while now and he played really well for Lossie at Mosset Park, working in behind our defensive line with Ricky Wardrop playing just off him.

“However he got a shock to read that he had been transfer listed on Saturday and he was left out of the line up that got heavily beaten at Brora. We have put a bid in for him and it is just a case of seeing what Lossie come back with.”

With Archibald on the radar there was more good news on the striking front as Lee Fraser is now back in full training. With three sessions under his belt the question of when he will be back in action is one that Charlie Rowley is keen to put on the back burner.

“I wouldn’t commit to any dates as that would be unfair to Lee Fraser and the viewing public. There was a figure quoted by the physio in an ideal scenario but that really is only a guide in the sense of not taking him back too early rather than expecting him to be out there with the jersey on by then.

“He trained on Tuesday and Thursday really well but Saturday was a wee bit harder for him. It is to be expected when you are coming back from such a long lay off. At the end of first week, through the second and at the beginning of third you find it the most difficult. Players will push really hard for the first week and it takes its toll.

“He didn’t play in the game at the end on Saturday as he was physically knackered and we also need to rein him in at times. It is not going to be a case of 2-3 weeks training and then he is back to his normal self but I am just delighted he is able to commit to training

“I said when the injury happened that I couldn’t care if we never won a game of football if Lee came back to full fitness, massive massive positive not only for himself but club.”