Stirling Albion v Airdrieonians preview
24th October 2014
Airdrie have selection headaches as they prepare to face Stirling Albion, but striker John Boyle is relieved to be putting his own injury nightmares behind him.
Club captain Boyle, who turned 28 this week, was on the bench for last week's trip to Peterhead following the recurrence of a knee injury which saw him miss the whole of last season.
The hitman has cut a frustrated figure watching the Diamonds' stuttering start from the sidelines, but is now fit and ready to bolster the attack.
"I'm getting back fully fit now. My knee was still a bit weak at the start of the season, so I've been doing a lot of strength work which seems to be helping.
"It's been very tough watching - especially when the team wasn't doing well.
"But hopefully I've done my stint of watching".
Boyle's teammates picked up a good point in windy conditions at Peterhead last Saturday, Keigan Parker's penalty cancelling out Rory McAllister's opener.
Results elsewhere meant the Diamonds slipped down one position in the league, making this weekend's fixture a 9th vs 10th showdown.
Stirling Albion manager Greig MacDonald resigned in the wake of his own side's 4-0 capitulation at home to Stenhousemuir, and senior players Darren Smith and Ross Forsyth will take the helm.
But Boyle insists that Airdrie will be concentrating on their own performance.
"Every game is a must-win for us, but Saturday especially as it will put us closer to the play off places where we want to be.
"Hopefully we keep collecting points and see where it takes us".
While Boyle's return from injury is a welcome boost upfront, manager Gary Bollan doesn't have his troubles to seek elsewhere on the park.
Defenders David Proctor, Ben Richards-Everton and Robert Wilson are all doubts, joining Marc Fitzpatrick, Joe Hamill and Jack Kirwan in the treatment room.