BY IAIN COLLIN – Capital City Press
Raith Rovers are running the rule over two trialists as manager Ray McKinnon comes to term with the long-term loss of teenage star Lewis Vaughan.
With Vaughan having it confirmed this week that he has ruptured the cruciate ligament in his knee, an injury that is likely to keep him sidelined for the rest of the season, McKinnon has moved to try and strengthen his squad.
The Stark’s Park boss has had attacking pair Anthony Costa and Onur Yildiz training with the club this week, with both netting in a bounce game against Glenrothes Juniors on Tuesday.
Costa is a 21-year-old Australian most recently with Adelaide United, whilst Yildiz is a 19-year-old Swiss-Turkish striker who was last with lower-league Swiss outfit Bavois and previously with Sion’s reserve side.
McKinnon explained: “We’ve got an Australian in on trial just now and a Swiss-Turkish guy.
“They played on Tuesday and both scored against Glenrothes Juniors in a bounce game we organised to get (new signing) Iain Davidson some fitness.
“They’ll be in for a couple more days for me to have a look at them.
“They would sort of be replacements for Lewis Vaughan, but I just need something to strengthen the squad anyway.
“We’re just keeping looking and it will depend on whether they’re good enough.”
Meanwhile, McKinnon has branded as ‘horrific’ the news that Vaughan is set to miss the rest of the campaign due to knee surgery.
The 19-year-old will go under the knife next month after a visit to a specialist in Yorkshire this week uncovered serious damage to the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee.
The teenager had begun the season in style, netting in both the Petrofac Training Cup win over Cowdenbeath and the victory over Albion Rovers in the League Cup, before being injured against Albion.
McKinnon added: “Lewis has had it confirmed that he’s ruptured his cruciate ligament, which is horrific.
“He’s got an operation scheduled in a few weeks’ time. They would rather go in when the swelling’s gone down.
“So, it looks like the season’s over for him.”
@IainCollin
