Manager on Thursday

Status Quo but no music to the ears as two return and two more are out

After the Hibs game Jim McIntyre felt that the two week break before the next fixture at St Mirren would be a good thing. Whilst he has had two players return he has during the same period lost two.

"Andy Dowie unfortunately has not recovered from a calf injury he sustained at Easter Road; he managed to play the rest of the game despite feeling it during the first half. We thought it was just a bit of tightness but he has struggled this week so he is looking a real doubt. The back three did really well against Hibs but if he doesn't make it then we just have to go with what we have got. It is frustrating.

"Martin Hardie slipped on the surface in training and jarred his knee. It is not serious but serious enough to make him a major doubt for this week. Craig Easton calf strain keeps him out. He has not recovered since the Dundee United game."

The Manager was guarded on the progress of those on the injury list since on more than one occasion players have had relapses but added:-

"Joe Cardle trained today and Andrew Barrowman is back in training."

The mood in the Pars camp has nevertheless been good:-

"Any time you go into an international break you want a result to go into it with. It is the one thing that we have struggled with even in the First Division so I was really pleased that we got that and the boys were in fine fettle for the two weeks."

Saturday will be the first trip for the Pars to St Mirren's new ground and they are looking forward to going there:-

"From what I have seen on TV it looks a lovely place to play football."

Asked whether or not the financial realities reflected by the closure of the North Stand at East End Park has put any increased pressure on the Manager, Macca disagreed:-

"It is my job to take care of the team and to get results. We know where we are as a club and totally understand the board's decision to shut the stand. It is for the people who run the club to worry about the financial side of things. Yes, we want to produce the best we can because that can help bring fans through the door. But even when we started really well at the start of the season we were still struggling to get numbers. We had 4100 against Hibs when we were flying and doing really well. It is the crisis that is around everywhere not just here and not just in football.

"The club is constantly looking at ways of getting more money through the door. It is such a difficult business; the board deserve to be applauded for that."