Saturday Mar 18 2006 08:52
Dunfermline forward Derek Young has not given up hope of playing in Sunday's CIS Cup final against Celtic despite struggling with a groin injury.
The 25-year-old, who has already seen his brother Darren told a stress fracture of the foot will prevent him featuring at Hampden, only returned to action last weekend after hernia surgery.
However, he lasted just 45 minutes of the surprise 1-0 win against Aberdeen before feeling pain in his groin, but he is optimistic he has not suffered a recurrence of his earlier problem and that he will be fit enough to take on the Bhoys.
"I felt great at the start of the game last Saturday but as the game progressed my groin just seemed to seize up and I had to come off. But it should be all right this weekend," said Young.
"It's just a shame the way it's happened with Darren but the whole squad has been affected by injuries this season and it's affected a few in the lead up to the cup final.
"I thought everything was going fantastically well with myself until last Saturday and I felt good about getting back into the cup final but we'll see how it goes on Sunday.
"But I'm desperate to play in as many finals as I can and I don't want to miss this opportunity."
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