Is it Winters time at McDiarmid Park?

Feb 5 2008

THE transfer window might have closed but Derek McInnes is still chasing new talent to boost his squad for the title run-in.

Last night, released Hamilton Accies midfield attacker David Winters (24) got a run as a trialist in the reserve game with Arbroath.

McInnes, who welcomed news that striker Andy Jackson was on stand-by for the Republic of Ireland U21 squad, said: “Davie was released by Accies on deadline day and is free to sign for another club. I felt it was worth having a look at him.

“He can play across the park and wide-left, where Peter MacDonald has been asked to do a job.

“There has been no commitment either way but ideally I’d still like to strengthen the squad, even although we are slowly getting injured players back.”

Winters, an ex-Dundee United player, spent three years at Ross County and had a spell at Halifax tucked in between two stints at Hamilton.

Young keeper Gordon O’Brien was between the sticks as Kevin Cuthbert’s wife had presented him with a daughter.

Fifteen-goal Jackson has been boosted by news he is on stand-by for the Irish U21 squad facing England.

He has already featured for the U19s. McInnes said: “Jacko deserves to be on the international radar this season.

“He has to continue his progress and it would be great if international recognition came his way. We also have Greg Cameron away with the Scotland U21 squad.”

Kevin Rutkiewicz is suspended for the weekend trip to Queen of the South and now there is a central defensive slot up for grabs.

Skipper Kevin James was also marked down to advance his rehab with another 90-minutes and Jamie McCluskey has recovered from the broken foot which has sidelined him for weeks.

Coach Tony Docherty said: “We are getting players back and with window signings Stuart McCaffrey and Daniel McBreen also training this week things are looking good.

“We have a massive game coming up against Queen of the South. They are on a great run but so are we.”

The cup draw has set-up a potential clash with Dundee United, which features on the McInnes and Docherty cv’s. But the management team isn’t looking further ahead than the weekend.

“Our preparations have to be bang on for Dumfries. We are gradually getting injured players back and they are quality footballers. Stuart and Daniel have experience of winning the league and that’s what we want in the squad.”

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ANDY LAWRIE faces an anxious wait to hear if he needs surgery on his troublesome neck. He received an injection last week and now has to be patient. The defender is hoping it works and an operation isn’t needed to get him back into contention for a first team slot.