Ross County V Aberdeen at Victoria Park : Match Preview

16 October 2015 08:31
Ross County V Aberdeen - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Gary Woods hopes to claim Ross County's number one jersey in Scott Fox's absence

Gary Woods has every sympathy for injured team-mate Scott Fox - but that will not stop him trying to snatch the Ross County number one shirt for good.

On-loan Leyton Orient stopper Woods is set to take over in goal for the Staggies when they host Ladbrokes Premiership leaders Aberdeen on Friday night.

Fox was injured in the Dingwall side's Highland derby defeat to local rivals Inverness a fortnight ago and the ankle ligament damage he sustained is due to sideline the former Partick keeper for at least two months.

Woods, 25, is reluctant to look too gleeful now that he is set to get his chance but the former Manchester United youngster is determined to make the most of his chance.

He said: "I would never wish an injury on another player. It's just unfortunate what happened to Scott and I wish him a speedy recovery.

"But now it's a chance for me to get a run of games and hopefully keep the spot.

"We are never going to go the whole season without injuries but that is part of football. It's up to the guys coming in to take their opportunity and keep the others out the team because at the end of the day, everyone wants to play.

"There's only 11 shirts available so it's up to the gaffer to pick who he wants to play. Scott is now injured so hopefully I can keep the shirt for a long time."

County have been forced to agonise over their 2-1 defeat by Caley Thistle for a fortnight while the Premiership paused for the international break.

Martin Woods (knee), Craig Curran (concussion) and Rocco Quinn (hamstring) join Fox on the sidelines, but Dutch forward Alex Schalk could make his County debut.

Aberdeen will be led once more by manager Derek McInnes, who admits he was left baffled by the online rumours which claimed he was ready to quit Pittodrie.

The Dons were forced into making a statement on Wednesday night to shoot down baseless gossip sweeping across social media.

The bizarre episode even saw bookmakers Ladbrokes - the Scottish Premiership's title sponsor - release a story through their PR firm announcing they had suspended betting on McInnes leaving the Reds after receiving a flurry of wagers.

It then took a fresh twist when Ladbrokes immediately made McInnes favourite to replace Scotland boss Gordon Strachan.

But the 44-year-old is adamant that he is going nowhere - and blasted the conduct of the Scottish Professional Football League's main backer.

He told a press conference attended by Radio Northsound: "I was a bit baffled by the whole thing to be honest. You start to get phone calls from press guys and you soon realise something is gathering a bit of momentum.

"But I really was baffled by it. When you look back on it in the cold light of day, then people have got to have a responsibility to act better.

"What can you do to stop it? Social media is what it is. I'm from a generation that is not involved in it.

"But I think for the main sponsors to be involved in instigating a lot of it is disappointing. They have a responsibility to work with clubs as the main sponsor and not work against clubs and managers.

"This is me talking about this today but it could be another manager next week. There have been other managers who have been put under pressure unnecessarily. The job is difficult enough.

"It is something which isn't helpful."

McInnes insists Wednesday's events will not distract him from his task.

He said: "I'm working for a chairman who is rock solid, we've made good progression and are sitting at the top of the league. We've got players on long-term contracts, I've got the staff in that I wanted.

"Yes there are short-term needs for results like every manager has to deal with and nobody is 100 per cent watertight.

"But we have long-term aims and this is my club. I've committed to a four-year deal and that's why I'm baffled.

"Our focus has always been on (Friday's opponents) Ross County but when you have to deal with the sideshow that was yesterday it isn't helpful."

Defender Mark Reynolds could make his first appearance of the season for the Dons having been out since July with a shoulder injury sustained in the Europa League qualifier against Shkendija in Macedonia.


Source: PAR