Yet another injury crisis has hit the Rose with five players injured in
midweek giving club boss Gordon Rae a major headache.

The East of Scotland trophy is the second most important cup after the Scottish and it is the one which Rae and his team want to secure. But he could be looking to field a side from just 12 players and that includes two goalkeepers.

Despite qualifying for the semi- final stages of the Fife and Lothians Cup against Newtongrange the Rose were hit with injuries to Scott Wilson (knee), Ian McSween (hamstring), Mark Bradley (thigh), Aaron James (hamstring) and Mike McDermott (groin). Add to that the injuries
sustained in recent weeks to Keith Hogg and Gordon Herd and you begin to understand the coach's predicament.

Gordon said: "The injuries are down to players suffering from fatigue. We have had two long seasons on the trot and it is proving physically demanding of them. They all need a good break but it is not going to happen."

With the Rose still in contention in three cups, the players will be involved in games up to the end of the month at the earliest.

Rae added: "We would, however, not have it any other way. We want to finish the season on a high note with a possible three cups in the trophy cabinet."

Looking back to midweek Rae said: "We were absolutely magnificent and if the starting 11 had remained on the pitch who knows what the score would have been. Instead we had to make forced changes but the players worked their socks off to get the result."

The coach is hopeful James, Bradley and McSween may respond to treatment before the weekend but that remains to be seen.

Rose fans may have noticed Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen in the stand in midweek. He was apparently casting his eye over Star player Joe Dunbar, who had recently trained with the SPL side.

The Rose play Whitburn in the league on Tuesday, May 20, at Prestonfield, ko 7pm and Bathgate (away) on Saturday, May 24.