Selection problems for Adams

Posted Tuesday, April 06, 2010 by PA

Ross County manager Derek Adams could be without five players for Tuesday`s clash with Queen of the South.

Steven Watt and Paul Lawson are definitely out, while Stuart Kettlewell, Michael Gardyne and Gary Wood are doubtful, but Alex Keddie will return from suspension.

A win would see the Staggies jump back into third place ahead of this weekend's Active Nation Scottish Cup semi-final with Celtic.

And Adams is urging his players to concentrate on the Doonhamers` visit rather than looking too far ahead.

"We are not in the best shape going into this game but we were much the same at the weekend and the players were great in our win at Dunfermline," he said.

"I will start giving the Celtic game my attention after we have played this one."

Queen of the South interim boss Kenny Brannigan will be without goalkeeper David Hutton and skipper David Lilley for the trip to Victoria Park.

Hutton is struggling with a back injury, while Lilley will begin a two-match ban.

Scott Fox is expected to fill the goalkeeping jersey after a fine substitute appearance on Saturday with Mark McAusland and Marvin Andrews added to the Palmerston squad as cover for Lilley.

Brannigan will have to lift his players after David Witteveen`s last-gasp equaliser dented their promotion hopes in Saturday`s 3-3 draw with Morton.

"The players were really disappointed after conceding that goal and it was a very quiet dressing room," he said.

"I will have them lifted as a win would take us above County."