Sean O'Connor worry for Chisholm

Sep 12 2008 by Iain Pollock, Dumfries Standard Friday

QUEENS boss Gordon Chisholm hopes to have three players returning from injury available for tomorrows league clash with Morton.

Captain Jim Thomson, Bob Harris and Gary Arbuckle resumed light training on Wednesday and are in contention for places in the squad.

But major worries remain over striker Sean OConnor who was visiting a specialist yesterday for an assessment on his knee injury.

Chisholm told the Standard: The one Im really concerned about is Sean, the other three have knocks but will get better.

Sean is going to see the specialist who operated on his knee. We are hopeful but until we see the specialist we do not know.

The loss of bustling striker for any length of time is a major blow to Queens, as was illustrated by his absence from Sundays ALBA Challenge Cup exit at home to Morton.

Chisholm said: Hes absolutely different to what we have up front and in my eyes Sean OConnor is the best target man in the league.

We have great players who can play off a target man but Sean leads the line for us. Hes a big miss but the boys have to adapt and play a different sort of game.

Chisholm drafted in former Hearts midfielder Stephen Simmons on Friday to bolster his injury hit squad.

The 26-year-old, who can also play in defence, became a free agent recently and has signed for Queens until December 31.

He came on as a late substitute for Paul Burns against Morton on Sunday, but is short of match fitness.

Chisholm said: We brought Weatherston and Parratt in and now Simmons and none of them has really played since July.

We have to get them up to speed and we are working every day to get them up to a good level of match fitness.

Chisholm was disappointed at the cup exit but felt that their hectic early season schedule had taken its toll. He said: We had six injuries and its difficult to carry that at any club. I felt after the game they looked fatigued, there was nothing in the tank, so this week the boys have had plenty of rest.

Chisholm added: Theres a chance we could go top of the league on Saturday if we win and results go our way elsewhere.

It will be nice to get back at Morton because I felt it wasnt a true showing from us on Sunday and hopefully we can lift it.