BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_SPORT
RAITH ROVERS boss Gary Locke has revealed that luckless former Scotland international Scott Robertson has suffered another injury set-back.
Robertson, 31, has made just two appearances for Raith this term after undergoing surgery to cure a persistent groin complaint in August.
The former Dundee United and Hibs star looked to be closing in on a comeback after returning to action for Rovers’ under-20 side on Tuesday evening, playing 45 minutes in a 6-1 win over their Alloa counter-parts at Stark’s Park.
However, Locke has confirmed that Robertson has subsequently endured discomfort in the area and will be sent back to a specialist to asses the cause of the pain.
He said: “Unfortunately Scott has had a reaction. That has been the one bit of bad news this week.
“He was great in the [under-20s] game, looked really good, then had a couple of days to recover – and the pain has come back. So he will need to go back to the specialist.
“We are all absolutely gutted for him because he has worked so hard to get back to fitness. However, that is the issue with these sort of injuries, sometimes you can get a bit of a reaction.
“I’m not a specialist by any means but I think it will just be a case of resting it until it feels right. He’s maybe tried to come back a little bit too quick, but hopefully we can get to the bottom of it because he is going to be a big player for us this season.”
Meanwhile, Locke remains hopeful that Hearts full-back Liam Smith could yet return to Fife for another loan spell.
The Rovers boss had been hopeful of extending the youngster’s 28-day stint at Stark’s Park when it expired earlier this month, but the Scotland under-21 starlet was recalled by the Jambos and pitched straight into the side that drew 2-2 against St Johnstone.
However, with skipper and first-choice right-back Jason Thomson absent until around Christmas, Locke hopes Smith could be tempted back to Raith if he again finds himself on the fringes at Tynecastle.
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He added: “Liam went back there and played in their last fixture and we are delighted to see that.
“Liam is a Hearts player, he was only here on loan, but if he doesn’t play in the next four or five games and becomes available, then I would love to have him back.
“We do need cover in that area, but it’s finances that dictate what we can do. With Liam Smith, Hearts were just keen for him to play, so it didn’t cost us anything.”
