Gers handed Davis boost

Rangers have been handed a major boost ahead of their UEFA Champions League tie against Bursaspor with the news that Steven Davis has returned to training.

Gers boss Walter Smith had been sweating on the midfielder's fitness after he sustained a hamstring injury late in Sunday's 3-2 win at Aberdeen.

But the SPL club have confirmed Davis is poised to feature in Wednesday night's meeting with Bursaspor.

"He (Davis) was able to train fully at Murray Park and that is a huge plus for manager Walter Smith,"a statement on the club'sofficial websitesaid.

Rangers are looking to build on their impressive opening result of Group C which saw them earn a point at Manchester United.

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Redknapp laments disruption

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp admits he has found it difficult to establish continuity in his side so far this term.

Spurs' early season has been plagued by injury, with just one fully fit recognised centre-half, Sebastien Bassong, available for their UEFA Champions League clash with FC Twente at White Hart Lane on Wednesday.

Redknapp may risk captain Ledley King for the clash, but if not, usual right-back Vedran Corluka will continue in central defence.

And the manager has admitted his frustration as injury worries continue to disrupt his attempts to balance Premier League and European football.

Problem

"The biggest problem you have is probably getting the players up for the Premier League games after the Champions League,"said Redknapp, whose side have won just two of their six league matches this term.

"You have to juggle around your team, I've found and when you keep changing your team, it makes it difficult to get continuity.

"We've had to do that an awful lot - change the team - probably through injury more than anything, especially in the back."

The Spurs boss revealed he has spoken to Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola about the problem, which he also encountered during the Blues' early European forays while at Stamford Bridge.

Redknapp added:"Champions League is suddenly something fantastic, new, and then getting up again for the maybe more bread and butter games, they found difficult at Chelsea in the early days.

"But I think they've obviously come to terms with that now.

"So it's something we've got to make sure we do, get ourselves up for another tough game on Saturday."

Must-win

Spurs take on Aston Villa at home on Saturday, but before that is their Twente encounter, which Redknapp feels is a must-win.

"It's a tight group,"he said."Every points are going to be very vital. I think we need to win our home games; obviously, if you do that, you'll qualify.

"So tomorrow's a massive game for us; it's a game we need to win."

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Fabregas has Chelsea chance

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed that captain Cesc Fabregas has a 'little' chance of being fit for Sunday's meeting with Chelsea.

The Spain international has been sidelined since sustaining a knee injury in Arsenal's 1-1 draw with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

But Fabregas is closing in on a return to action after beginning work in training this week.

And Wenger is hopeful that the influential midfielder could be available for this weekend's key meeting with the table-toppers.

He told the club'sofficial website:"Cesc has started to run so we have to monitor his progress in the week and there is a little hope there he will be available[for Sunday]."

However, Wenger stated that it is"impossible"that defender Thomas Vermaelen, who has been struggling with an Achilles problem, will feature at Stamford Bridge.

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Cox boost for Caley Thistle

Inverness Caledonian Thistle have received a boost after learning Lee Cox will only miss the next two games.

Cox was stretchered off during last week's 6-0 cup defeat at Celtic and there were fears the midfielder had broken his ankle.

However, scans have shown there is no break and Inverness boss Terry Butcher expects the 19-year-old to return after the international break.

"With the bruising down, the signs are much better on an ankle we thought at first had been broken,"Butcher told the club'sofficial website.

"As well as missing the St Mirren game, Lee will also sit out the home game with Aberdeen on October 2.

"But the following weekend is the break for Euro 2012 international fixtures, so we're very hopeful that Lee will make his comeback against St Johnstone at Inverness on October 16.

"That's a much more encouraging scenario with the international break working in our favour."

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Neville - Spirit will save us

Phil Neville is confident Everton can recover from a slow start, with team spirit still strong in the camp.

The Toffees slipped to the foot of the Premier League table on Saturday following a 0-0 draw with Fulham.

They are the only side in the top flight yet to record a win this season, with just three points taken from their six fixtures so far.

Club captain Neville acknowledges that the situation is becoming increasingly perilous, but is adamant that David Moyes' men can turn the corner.

The Toffees are notoriously slow starters and no-one at Goodison Park is getting overly concerned just yet.

Neville said:"You come off the field quite pleased with the performance and find you're bottom of the league, but if you don't win football matches it's where you deserve to be.

"When I joined the club five years ago we lost six of the first eight, including six on the trot. I couldn't see where the next win was coming from.

Quality

"I remember saying to Leon Osman, 'Do you think we'll go down?' He said, 'Don't worry. Everton are slow starters but the spirit will show through'.

"That comment has stayed with both of us ever since. The spirit now needs to shine through.

"We had qualified for the Champions League the previous season but that was a totally different kind of team - it was up-and-at-'em, in your faces. We have progressed from there.

"We have players who have played at World Cup finals. The quality needs to shine through now. It's time to stand up and be tough.

"That doesn't mean going out and kicking people, it means doing the right things all the time and winning football matches.

"There's no point feeling sorry for ourselves. We have to go to Birmingham next week and, at the moment, draws aren't good enough for us."

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Giggs facing spell out

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says Ryan Giggs is facing a spell on the sidelines after picking up a hamstring injury.

Giggs had to be withdrawn from United's 2-2 draw against Bolton on Sunday in the 53rd minute and Ferguson admits the Welshman's prospects do not look healthy.

The United boss also saw Wayne Rooney forced off after a subdued display, with the England striker putting ice on his left ankle after being replaced.

United next face Valencia in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night and the Scot said Giggs will be missing for a 'couple of weeks'.

But he was more optimistic about Rooney's prospects and believes the player will feature in Spain.

Ferguson said:"Ryan is the most serious, it's a hamstring and I'm afraid he will be out for a couple of weeks.

"I'm sure Wayne will get ready for Wednesday."

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Hodgson calls for patience

Roy Hodgson insists it was always going to take time for Liverpool to find their feet this season.

The Reds have endured a turbulent opening to the 2010/11 campaign, on and off the field.

Only six points have been accrued from as many games in the Premier League, while a Carling Cup humbling by Northampton has done little for collective confidence.

Ownership issues also continue to hang over Anfield, with a protest against American co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks staged by supporters following Saturday's 2-2 draw with Sunderland.

Hodgson, who inherited the reins from Rafa Benitez over the summer, admits the situation on Merseyside is far from ideal, but claims such events were always likely to hinder his cause.

"The players are trying to come to terms with the enormous expectation here,"he said.

"That, at the moment, is our major problem. Everything is very new; there are a lot of new players, uncertainty over the ownership of the club and the minute you are not top of the table after five or six games, people are saying this is not good enough.

"I am not saying it is good enough but I am saying this is something that could have been predicted."

Improving

Meanwhile, Hodgson has defended Fernando Torres' indifferent form, claiming the Spaniard is edging back towards his best following a hectic summer.

"The Fernando Torres you saw today was much, much different to the Fernando Torres you saw in the opening couple of games,"he said following the Sunderland stalemate.

"People wanted to see the very best of him from the moment he stepped back on the field after the World Cup but the point is he needs time, he needs games."

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Deschamps spurned Reds

Didier Deschamps has revealed that he spurned the advances of Liverpool over the summer in order to stick with Marseille.

The Frenchman admits that the Anfield outfit approached him regarding the possibility of replacing Rafa Benitez, who parted with the club at the end of last season.

He was one of a number of candidates identified by the Reds, as they sought to re-establish some stability following a turbulent 2009/10 campaign.

In the end, they were able to lure Roy Hodgson away from Fulham, with his considerable experience promoting him to the front of the queue.

The job could have been Deschamps', though, as he was among the early frontrunners for the post.

The former France captain led Marseille to the Ligue 1 title last season, and took Monaco to the 2004 UEFA Champions League final, underlining his considerable credentials.

Adventure

However, having only taken the reins at Stade Velodrome in 2009, Deschamps felt he was unable to turn his back on a club which holds a special place in his heart from his playing days.

"I was very proud a club like Liverpool were interested in me,"he said."But the timing was not good.

"I was engaged with Marseille, the players and the fans, and I could not leave them two days before the restart for pre-season.

"I was extremely pleased and happy but I decided to stay and continue my adventure with Marseille."

Deschamps insists the interest from Liverpool was firm and has revealed that he went as far as holding talks with the Premier League giants.

"We had a long discussion,"he said.

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Barton wins N Ireland call

Preston youngster Adam Barton has been called up to the Northern Ireland squad for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Italy and the Faroe Islands.

Barton has broken into the Preston side this season and he has been rewarded with his first call-up to the senior Northern Ireland squad.

Celtic duo Paddy McCourt and Niall McGinn also return to the fold after missing the win over Slovenia earlier this month.

Craig Cathcart maintains his place in the squad after earning a recall for the Slovenia tie.

Wolves winger Johnny Gorman also retains his place in the squad along with Corry Evans who scored the winner against Slovenia.

Nigel Worthington has named a 22-man squad for the clash with Italy at Windsor Park on 8th October before travelling to the Faroe Islands four days later.

Worthington has no worries at introducing Barton and has been impressed by the midfielder's development.

"I am delighted to bring Adam in. I have monitored him very closely and he has always caught the eye.

"I have no qualms about bringing him into the senior group."

Squad:Taylor (Birmingham), Tuffey (Inverness), Blayney (Linfield); J Evans (Manchester Utd), Craigan (Motherwell), Cathcart (Blackpool), McAuley (Ipswich), Hughes (Fulham), Baird (Fulham); McCann (Peterborough), Brunt (West Brom), Gorman (Wolves), C Evans (Manchester United), Davis (Rangers), McGinn (Celtic), Barton (Preston), Clingan (Coventry); Healy (Sunderland), Feeney (Oldham), Lafferty (Rangers), McCourt (Celtic), Patterson (Plymouth).

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Hughton rejects Wickham link

Newcastle boss Chris Hughton has dismissed reports linking him with a move for Ipswich hot-shot Connor Wickham

Wickham is one of the hottest properties outside the Premier League after bursting onto the scene at Portman Road.

A whole host of clubs have been credited with an interest in Wickham, who has been tipped for the top since breaking into Roy Keane's side.

Hughton was an interested observer for Ipswich's 1-1 draw at Scunthorpe on Saturday, fuelling rumours of a move for Wickham.

However, the Magpies boss has moved quickly to dispel the speculation by saying Wickham was not the reason for his visit to Glanford Park.

"There is absolutely nothing in it,"Hughton told theEvening Chronicle.

"I went to Scunthorpe on Saturday because it was one of the closest places to get to after training."

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Sagna turns focus to Blues

Bacary Sagna is looking towards Sunday's clash at Chelsea after helping Arsenal defeat Partizan Belgrade 3-1 in Serbia.

After an unbeaten start to the Premier League season, the Gunners suffered a shock 3-2 home defeat to West Brom last weekend.

But Arsene Wenger's men bounced back against Partizan as goals from Andrey Arshavin, Marouane Chamakh and Sebastien Squillaci allowed them to record their first UEFA Champions League away win in over a year.

France full-back Sagna feels Tuesday night's European triumph was crucial in restoring Arsenal's confidence ahead of their trip to Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Confidence

"We had to win against Partizan because we did not play well at the weekend, conceding three goals,"said Sagna.

"Every game is a test because the season is long, where you have to play match after match.

"Now we need to stay focused and look forward to the next game, and we have to make something at Chelsea.

"We have to play our football. We know we have the quality to beat them.

"It will be an open game, but it will be about us, not them."

Doubt

There was doubt over whether Tuesday evening's match would actually go ahead following a series of power failures in the main stand, with the players having to change in the dark before the game.

Sagna says he and his Gunners team-mates saw the funny side of things, but remained fully focused on the match.

"The lights went off, so we had to use the lights from the phones to get ready,"he said.

"It was quite funny, but we stayed focused and came on the pitch to get the win."

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Drogba may look elsewhere

Didier Drogba has hinted that he may not end his career with reigning Premier League champions Chelsea.

The Ivorian striker has been at Stamford Bridge since 2004 when he moved from Marseille.

Drogba, who has two-years left on his current deal, has played over 250 games for The Blues and previously stated he would end his career with the West London giants.

But the 32-year-old admits that things could change, and he toldCanal Plus:"When I signed a new contract at Chelsea, I always said I wanted to finish my career here.

"But I am well placed to say that anything can happen.

"When I was at Marseille I said I would finish my career there but, one week later, everything changed."

Lesson

Chelsea play Marseille on Tuesday in the UEFA Champions League, and Drogba is upset at missing the chance to line-up against his former club as he is suspended.

But he is desperate to make the second leg in France, adding;"I hope I don't miss the return match as the Velodrome has an exceptional atmosphere.

"I did not think I would miss this game, but that is a lesson in life.

"I have already warned my team-mates about the Stade Velodrone, I said forget about Stamford Bridge, Old Trafford, St James' Park - the Velodrome is unique."

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Wenger eyeing Serbian success

Arsene Wenger is targeting a first European away win in more than a year when Arsenal travel to Partizan Belgrade on Tuesday night.

The North London giants opened their UEFA Champions League Group H campaign with a 6-0 demolition of Braga while the Serbs lost 1-0 against Shakhtar Donetsk.

But the Gunners go into the clash in Serbia on the back of a shock 3-2 Premier League home defeat to West Brom, although the French tactician is hoping his side will show no effects from the loss.

With a trip to leaders Chelsea next Sunday afternoon in Wenger's mind, both the result and the performance in Belgrade take on an extra significance.

"It is important to get a good result against Partizan Belgrade,"said Wenger, whose team last won a Champions League away fixture at Standard Liege in September 2009.

"First of all, it gives us a good opportunity to qualify if we can then win our home game afterwards.

"As well, it is important before going to Chelsea that we have a good performance."

Song hopeful

Meanwhile, Alex Song believes Arsenal's squad is much stronger this season and can progress even further in Europe.

"We have more people behind the attack now,"he said.

"When we have the ball, we can go forward and help create things, but I think we now have a midfield which can switch over quickly when we lose the ball and look quite solid.

"It is important for the midfield to have that good balance, and I think this shape has started well for us. We are enjoying playing this way.

"We started playing very well and just need to keep working on the way we are set up in training."

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Hodgson - Reds must improve

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has admitted his misfiring side are not playing like UEFA Champions League contenders.

The Reds dropped two more Premier League points on Saturday as they were forced to come from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw against a determined Sunderland side at Anfield.

Steven Gerrard headed home a second-half leveller after a brace from Darren Bent - the first coming from the penalty spot after Christian Poulsen was penalised for handball - had given the Black Cats hope of an upset.

Dirk Kuyt bagged a controversial opener after referee Stuart Attwell ruled Michael Turner had taken a free-kick, with the Sunderland defender feeling he was only trying to knock the ball back to goalkeeper Simon Mignolet to restart play.

It has been a season of struggle so far for Liverpool, with just one win to show from their opening six fixtures, and they remain in the lower reaches of the tightly-packed table.

The clash with the Wearsiders was billed as an opportunity for redemption following Wednesday's shock Carling Cup exit at the hands of Northampton - albeit with 11 different players - but Hodgson's replacements fared little better.

The Anfield boss was keen to take the positives as his side hit back from 2-1 down and dominated the closing stages without forcing a winner, but accepted Liverpool have work to do to claim a place back in the top four.

"It wasn't the result we wanted - we wanted a victory - but in many ways it was the performance we wanted,"he said.

Spirit and determination

"I think that the penalty they got was fairly compensatory. I don't subscribe to accidental handball. Handball should be intentional, and there is no way anyone is going to persuade me that was an intentional handball.

"I'm always a little bit surprised by how dismissive you can be - as journalists - of opponents. Sunderland are a good team, they have got good players. If we don't defend as well as we should do they are going to cause problems.

"But over the 90 minutes I thought we were certainly worth more than the point we got. I'm sure the fans will appreciate the effort, the spirit and the determination of the players and that is another little step forward.

"The league is very, very tight. Had we won today we probably would have found ourselves in fourth or fifth place.

"I don't think we're playing like a team from fourth or fifth place at the moment, but that is how close the league is. There is not an awful lot to put between players.

"One of the things that is lacking is we need to play and work much more together. We've got a lot of new players coming into the team and we haven't had that much time.

"The more we work and the more the team plays together the better you will see them become. Rome wasn't built in a day and we've got to keep working at it.

"Certainly I've got a group of players here who will work and try to get better and give their all."

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McEachran - I'm ready

Chelsea starlet Josh McEachran insists he is ready for first-team action.

The 17-year-old midfielder has featured in a number of Chelsea matches in recent weeks, coming off the bench on three occasions.

The young left sider was being tipped as a future England international before he even made his Chelsea debut, and he insists he is confident he can step up to the task of first-team football.

"I am quite a quiet boy but on the pitch I think I am quite confident and know what I am doing,"he said.

No loan

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has the same belief that McEachran can become a first-team player this year and he has already ruled out the prospect of letting him leave on loan.

"We won't be sending him on loan,"said Ancelotti.

"He will stay here and play here. We now have one more player.

"It's a surprise because he is a very talented player and we prepared a programme for him to improve but I think he is improving very quickly.

"I don't have a fear of rushing him because his character is good, he is focused.

"He has balance. He is not afraid or quiet. And for this reason I can say he can play."

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Reina pleads for patience

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina remains confident the side will soon turn around their season after a tough start to the campaign.

The Reds find themselves languishing in 16th spot with just six points from their opening six games.

Reina believes their tough fixture schedule as well as adapting to a new manager and new players still getting to grips with the team have all contributed to Liverpool's slow start.

"Six points from our first six games is not what we wanted,"Reina told the club'sofficial magazine.

"People who criticise us about it should look at the fixtures we've had. It has been a difficult start. Arsenal at home and then going to play Manchester City, Manchester United and Birmingham away was never going to be easy.

"Not many teams will go to the City of Manchester Stadium, Old Trafford or St Andrews and win. Those three teams have very good records at home."

Changes

Reina has also pleaded for patience as the players look to get used to Roy Hodgson's new methods at Anfield.

"When you have so many changes moving in a new direction under a new boss, things don't happen instantly,"added Reina.

"It can take between three and six months before you see improvements. Obviously the quicker we adapt and improve as a team the better it will be for everyone.

"That doesn't just happen overnight. Each of us has to adjust to working in a new way.

"With the passing of each day I get used to it and what the manager wants. It's the same for all of us. We need to be patient."

Defender Martin Skrtel echoed Reina's sentiments and he remains hopeful of finishing in the top four to qualify for next season's Champions League.

Aim

"A lot of people think that when a new manager comes in everything should be perfect but we need time,"said Skrtel.

"Our aim is to fight for a place in the top four. That won't be easy as there are a lot of good teams also going for it, but if we continue to improve as the season goes on, we can get back into the Champions League - that's our aim.

"A lot of things have changed here. We have a new manager, new players, new medical staff and some different people around the team. It's always going to be difficult when you change so much."

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Kidd eyes trophy boost

Assistant boss Brian Kidd hopes Manchester City's England stars can help fire the club to a trophy this term.

The Blues ended up with six players on the field as England dismantled Switzerland in Basel earlier this month.

While Kidd is pleased City's contingent helped England to the win, he is more concerned with the Blues claiming their first trophy since 1976.

Kidd, who represented both Manchester clubs as a player as well as in management, said:"It is wonderful to have these players in the England team.

"But as a Manchester lad, who has been lucky and blessed to have been involved with both local clubs, I just want Manchester City to win a trophy.

Something big

"Once we can put that to bed, it will be the start of something big.

"Winning is intoxicating. When you get your first trophy, you want more.

"The staff want it and so do the players. It goes without saying it is the same for the fans."

Roberto Mancini's side next take on Juventus in the Europa League on Thursday, with Kidd believing City will be well up for the challenge.

The Blues are currently top of Group A and are favourites to win the game against the Turin giants, whom Kidd scored against in City's Uefa Cup first-leg win in 1976.

Pressure

He added:"Pressure comes with the territory.

"Quite rightly, the expectation is there.

"But everybody is up for it. Nobody is a wilting flower at this club.

"We all know the demands. That is how it should be.

"With this particular competition, the boss wants first place in the group. He won't take anything less."

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Jacobsen - Let's kick on

Lars Jacobsen is eyeing more victories after West Ham notched their first Premier League win of the campaign against Tottenham.

Avram Grant's side lifted themselves off the bottom thanks to Frederic Piquionne's first-half winner in last Saturday's derby.

The welcome win came after a draw at Stoke and Carling Cup victory at Sunderland and Jacobsen hopes the Hammers can now push on.

The defender, who joined from Blackburn on transfer deadline day, told the club'sofficial website:"Everybody is buzzing about the win.

"First of all, it's the three points and the first victory of the season in the Premier League and it also came in a local derby against Spurs and you don't get anything better than that. We're all very pleased.

"Derby matches are the same everywhere. It's a special atmosphere and the stadium is always packed. The games are always tight, as it should be, and that's what football is all about.

"They are the most intense games and that's what you want as a player and as a spectator as well."

Recent upturn

West Ham had a dreadful start to the campaign, losing their first four Premier League fixtures before the recent upturn in results.

Jacobsen is now looking to the future and hopes the Hammers can pick up more points as quickly as possible.

He added:"I can only talk about the four games that I've been here, but I think we can take a lot of positives. The Chelsea game, even though we lost, was a positive and from that moment on we seem solid on the pitch.

"Drawing at Stoke and winning at Sunderland gave us a boost in the right direction and we managed to get the three points today.

"Now we have to draw a line and say we need to get some more points on the board and look forward."

Meanwhile, West Ham have been boosted by the news midfielder Kieron Dyer should return against Fulham on Saturday.

The former England man was forced off in the 41st minute against Spurs after feeling ill but he has recovered and should return against the Cottagers at Upton Park.

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Win delights relieved Terry

John Terry declared himself pleased with his team-mates after a real captain's performance helped Chelsea end a losing run by beating Marseille in the UEFA Champions League.

Chelsea headed into the European clash on the back of two successive defeats, with Saturday's Premier League loss to Manchester City having followed on from a Carling Cup elimination to Newcastle.

Terry's early goal and Nicolas Anelka's penalty earned them a 2-0 win over Marseille to stop the rot and leave Carlo Ancelotti's side top of Group F with maximum points.

"Coming here, we'd had two losses which is very unusual for us,"he toldSky Sports 2.

"So we're pleased to pick up three points, keep a clean sheet and extend that lead at the top of the group.

"In the second half we had a few chances to make it three or four. We didn't start the brightest in the second half but we stayed solid and kept a clean sheet.

"With Sunday in mind we maybe took our foot off the gas a little bit, saving a bit of energy for the weekend.

"We'd have liked to have got a third and killed the game off but they had a lot of possession."

Describing his goal, he said:"I just made a run to the near post and it was a flick with the outside of the foot.

"I'd like to dedicate that goal to a young girl named Ruby from Make a Wish (Foundation) - she had a serious operation a couple of weeks ago and thankfully she pulled through."

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Fightback flabbergasts Fergie

Darren Ferguson hailed his side's sensational comeback after Preston came from three goals down to beat Leeds 6-4.

North End took an early lead via Jon Parkin but found themselves 4-1 down after a Davide Somma brace and goals from Alex Bruce and Luchiano Becchio.

But Parkin completed a hat-trick - with other goals from Keith Treacy, Iain Hume and Callum Davidson - as Preston stormed back to stun Elland Road and jump out of the Championship's bottom three.

Ferguson said:"I have never been involved in such an amazing game.

"But all credit to my players for their sensational comeback.

"It's brilliant to get six goals, it would have been nice if we had not conceded four. But all credit goes to my players.

"The spirit and character was remarkable, the boys were magnificent and I am incredibly proud of the team."

Ferguson was quick to pay tribute to hat-trick hero Parkin, as well as partner in crime Hume.

Brilliant

"Parkin was brilliant,"he admitted.

"He was absolutely unplayable and caused all sorts of problems for their defence.

"He is fantastic technically and he showed that tonight.

"Iain (Hume) was excellent as well, though. He has been a breath of fresh air since coming to the club.

"He had a bad injury when he was at Barnsley, but he has been a breath of fresh air since coming here."

Parkin made it 4-2 on the stroke of half-time and Ferguson believed that goal was the catalyst for his side to go on and win the game.

"The goal just before half-time was the most important because if we went in at the break 4-1 down it would have been a big ask,"he added.

"As a manager you always say if you are only two goals behind, you always have a chance.

"And I was calm at the break because I still felt we had a chance. We always had goals in us."

Grayson disappointed

Leeds boss Simon Grayson was bitterly disappointed with the turnabout, labelling the result as"embarrassing".

"I am hugely disappointed,"he said."Football never surprises you, you are going well and suddenly it kicks you where it hurts again.

"I still had a go at the players at half-time, because we had given them far too many opportunities.

"When we were 4-1 up, we needed to be more professional but we gave them a chance to get back into the game.

"There were far too many errors - both individually and collectively. We made stupid mistakes and it cost us.

"To lose 6-4 at home is unbelievable really, and embarrassing."

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Hegarty blow for Buddies

St Mirren have suffered a blow with the news that Nick Hegarty faces three months on the sidelines after breaking his ankle.

The 24-year-old sustained the problem during last weekend's defeat to Inverness.

The news is a major blow to Hegarty having only joined the Paisley club on transfer deadline day.

St Mirren manager Danny Lennon told the club'sofficial website:"Nick Hegarty fractured his ankle and the outlook isn't too good. It looks as if Nick will be out for a minimum of three months."

Meanwhile, Lennon has had two players on trial this week - former Clyde full-back Michael McGowan and midfielder Toufik Zerara, who had a brief stint at Falkirk last season.

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