Airdrieonians v East Fife preview
13th December 2013
Airdrieonians could field Keigan Parker as a trialist for Saturday's vital SPFL League One clash with East Fife.
The former St Johnstone and Blackpool striker was due to train with Gary Bollan's squad on Thursday night after playing for the Diamonds reserves in the 3-0 victory at home to Raith Rovers.
The 31-year-old has recently been plying his trade in Junior football's Central District League First Division with Glasgow side Shettleston.
However, Bollan could offer him a route back into the senior ranks and was pleased with what he saw from Parker against Raith on Monday evening.
The manager said: "Keigan is a quality player. He still makes good runs and he's still got good touches. He showed out there that he is keen to play.
"At this stage of the season, players like him are what we need.
"I was delighted with Keigan in this [Raith] game. He will come to training on Thursday night and we will take things from there. I'm not saying it will happen but playing him as a trialist on Saturday is definitely an option.
"He needs to get back playing at a high level. He is too good a player to be playing at the level he's been at without being disrespectful."
Airdrie have lost nine of their last 10 matches and find themselves five points adrift of safety at the bottom of the table.
The team hasn't been in action since the November 23 defeat to Stranraer but Bollan is happy with the work which has been done since that match.
He added: "We've given them some good physical work. They have done a lot of fitness and ball work and the attitude has impressed me.
"We want to make ourselves difficult to beat.
"I'm hoping they have the hunger for this weekend because it is an absolutely massive game for us. East Fife will be confident after their victory over Stenhousemuir."
Defender Ross Gilmour, who has been signed on a month's loan from Dundee United, could be handed his debut against the Fifers.