One or two more!

MANAGER Peter Murphy is still looking to bring in a couple of forward thinking players ahead of Queen of the South’s League One curtain raiser at Cove Rangers on Saturday.

The Doonhamers face the lengthy trip up north to Aberdeen to take on familiar foes Cove at Balmoral Stadium. The two clubs faced each other in the promotion play-offs in May where Paul Hartley’s men come out victorious.

And Murphy knows it’ll be a tough opening match for his side.

He said: “I expect Cove to be a very good side just like they were last season. Paul Hartley always has them well-drilled and well organised.

“They’ve got good experienced players so it’s going to be a tough first game.

“But hopefully after the fact we get a week’s rest will help us after playing four games in such a short period of time.

“We didn’t want to suffer any more injuries during the League Cup matches and fingers crossed we’ve not.

“We started last season against Alloa with a lot of injuries but we’re in a better position for the Cove game.

“We’re still looking to bring in a couple of players as you can see we’re still short in the forward going areas.”

Last Saturday, wasn’t the perfect preparation for the new season for the Doonhamers. They suffered a 1-0 loss to derby rivals Stranraer at Stair Park where Ross Stewart was sent off for two yellows. However, Stewart won’t be suspended for the Cove match.

Also, defender Jack Hannah will be available for selection after he missed the Stranraer match due to him and his partner welcoming a baby girl.

Murphy added: “Jack will be back next week. Him and his partner had a baby girl, Alba, on Thursday and it wouldn’t have been right for him to travel to the Stranraer game.

“He wouldn’t have been in the right frame of mind so we gave him a few days off. He’ll be back in the build-up to Cove.”

When Stewart was sent packing by the referee in Stranraer, midfielder Reece Lyon – who had featured in defence and up front during the match – volunteered to put on the gloves for the final stages.

Murphy hailed Lyon as he would do anything for the club.

He added: “With us having a smaller squad we’re going to need players to play in different positions.

“A big well done to Reece. He was captain against Stranraer and we played him at centre back and he ended up playing up front for a short period. When Ross was sent off, he goes in nets.

“He can play every position, he is a team player. I wouldn’t want him to play in goals again but it shows he’ll do anything for the team and the club.”

Also on show at Stranraer were new loan signings Callum Penman and Cole Burke after they penned season-long deals with the Doonhamers.