Aberdeenshire Shield semi-final: Good news on injury front for Buckie Thistle ahead of tonight's tie against Banks o' Dee at Victoria Park
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BUCKIE Thistle striker Kyle MacLeod could be back in the new year after scans revealed no extensive knee damage.
It was good news for Jags manager Graeme Stewart ahead of tonight's Aberdeenshire Shield semi-final against Banks o' Dee.
MacLeod was crocked in Jags' recent win at Lossiemouth with fears that he could have torn ligaments, with the worst case scenario being the dreaded cruciate rupture.
Fellow striker Adam MacLeod recent had surgery to replace his ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and will miss the rest of the season.
But Stewart revealed: "The good news for Kyle is there is nothing torn or ruptured.
"We still don't know how severe the damage is but at least we know it’s not going to be a six or nine month spell. You are talking a month or a few weeks which is a relief.
"We are waiting to hear back from the doctor but he will be back with us probably by the end of January at the latest, which is good."
Stewart recently recalled another long-term injury victim, Declan Milne to training, and the striker could be part of Jags squad for tonight's big Victoria Park clash.
The Buckie manager intends to loan Milne out to Dyce Juniors to give him match fitness, but a shortage of front players right now could keep the player at Jags in the meantime.
Top scorer Sam Urquhart is expected to return to the team tonight after missing the recent win over Turriff.
Stewart is in no doubt that his team faces one of their most difficult matches of the season against north junior football's top side.
Banks o' Dee have defeated all the top Highland League clubs in recent seasons and swept to glory in the Aberdeenshire Cup earlier this term, taking the scalps of Keith, Inverurie Locos, Fraserburgh and Formartine United along the way.
They have also reached the fourth round of the Scottish Cup following their victory over League One East Fife, see highlights below.
The Aberdonians are expected to win the North Superleague and enter into a play-off at the end of the season with a place in the Highland League at stake.
"Banks o’ Dee have beaten a lot of Highland League clubs in the last couple of years and we know it's going to be very hard," said Stewart.
"If they come into the Highland League there’s no doubt they are going to be in the top four or five and within a couple of years they will be challenging to win the league.
"Because of where they are situated, they are right in Aberdeen city centre with a good catchment area and a great set-up, a good manager and chairman so they are one of these clubs that if they come into the league they will be one of the top teams.
"I’ve watched them many times, I know all their players and they are a very, very good team.
"We need to be at our best and we are looking forward to it, it’s a big game."
The winners will play Huntly, who defeated Inverurie Locos 2-1 in the other semi last Wednesday.
