BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
Queen of the South are set to decide whether to offer former Hamilton youngster Andy Ryan a contract in the next 48 hours as James Fowler seeks to bolster his attacking options.
The 21-year-old scored nine goals in 92 appearances – albeit only making 21 starts – for the New Douglas Park outfit but fell out of favour, spending the first half of this season on loan with Arbroath.
He was released by the Lanarkshire outfit last month and was immediately handed a trial by the playoff-chasing Queens. He will train with Fowler’s side for the remainder of this week before holding talks with the Championship outfit.
Young loan striker Liam Coogans has returned to Huddersfield, while Paul Heffernan’s short-term deal expires this month, leaving Fowler keen to add reinforcements.
The Queens boss told Capital City Press: “The attacking position is something we are looking at. We have [Derek] Lyle and [Iain] Russell who are doing the business for us, but you can never have too many options.
“Paul [Heffernan] has had injuries and Liam Coogan has gone back to Huddersfield.
“We will probably have Andy him in for the rest of the week and then we will maybe make a decision and have a chat with him to see what his thoughts are and what our thoughts are.”
Development
Fowler is desperate to add firepower to his ranks, having seen Queens score a modest 20 goals in 19 Championship fixtures.
However, he is also keen to send highly-rated youngster Aidan Smith, whose only two senior goals to date have come against Rangers, out on loan to gain regular first-team football.
Fowler added: “If we get someone in then it could allow us to get young Aidan Smith out on loan.
“He’s on the bench and getting bits and pieces of action, here and there, but it would be nice for his development to get a starting slot somewhere.”
