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RAITH Rovers have been dealt a hammer blow after inspirational winger Bobby Barr was ruled out for at least a month with a knee injury.
The 28-year-old had to be substituted in the second-half of Saturday’s impressive 4-2 win over Falkirk following a clash with Scott Shepherd and has been left on crutches.
The former Livingston and Morton attacker, an ever-present for Rovers this season, was sent for a scan on Tuesday and has been booked in to see a specialist next week to determine the extent of the problem.
However, manager Gary Locke has confessed the fans’ favourite will be sidelined for the next four weeks, and possibly longer.
Locke explained: “Bobby has picked up a bad knee injury and he’s going to see a specialist on Monday morning.
“We’re hopeful it won’t keep him out for too long but, certainly, at the minute, he’s going to miss the next month, anyway.
“But hopefully it’s not much longer than that. We’ll know better on Monday or Tuesday.
“It’s a blow for us and it seems to be the way of the season so far.
“But at least we’ve got Chris Johnston, Scott Roberts and Joel [Coustrain] who can all play in that area of the pitch.”
DIALOGUE
Raith will seek to build on their goalless draw with league leaders Hibs and last weekend’s victory over Falkirk when they host Queen of the South on Saturday evening.
Hearts youngster Liam Smith is in line to feature again at full-back after returning to training on Thursday following a hamstring injury.
However, the match could prove to be the 20-year-old’s last outing for Rovers unless they are successful in discussions that have now started with Smith’s Tynecastle employers over an extension to his initial five-week loan agreement.
Locke added: “Liam’s got this weekend left but we’re speaking to Hearts. We’ve had a bit of dialogue and we’re really keen to extend his loan.
“Saturday could be his last game, going by the original agreement.
“But after Saturday’s game we’ll hopefully sit down and have a wee discussion and see if we can extend it.”
