Dunfermline vs Forfar Preview - Pars wait on Potter

Posted Saturday, May 11, 2013 by PA

Dunfermline's experienced defender John Potter is a major doubt for his side's Irn-Bru Scottish First Division play-off semi-final second leg against Forfar.

Potter limped off near the end of the first leg on Wednesday night as the Pars look to recover from a 3-1 defeat.

Manager Jim Jefferies has delayed naming his side to give Potter as long as possible to recover as Callum Morris is definitely out due to a hamstring problem and Ryan Wallace is recovering from a dislocated shoulder.

Jefferies said: "The start is going to be hugely important.

"We have given ourselves a chance with the late goal that made it 3-1.

"There is pressure on both sides because if we lose a goal it becomes a mountain, whereas if we score they could blow a three-goal lead and that will prey on their minds."

Forfar will look to complete a shock win over Dunfermline without Odmar Faero and Mick Dunlop.

Faero and Dunlop have knee injuries, while Stephen Tulloch (pelvis) and Martyn Fotheringham (ankle) are also absent as well as the long-term injured pair Derek Soutar and Keith Gibson.

Station Park's former Dunfermline manager Dick Campbell believes that the start to the game will be crucial.

He said: "We have to ensure that we give them no encouragement at the start of the game.

"If we can bed ourselves in and quieten down the big crowd they will have supporting their young lads we have a great chance.

"I was disappointed that we lost a goal to make it 3-1, but was actually more disappointed that after creating loads of chances that we had we didn't score more goals."