Oliver expected to make Saturday’s matchday squad

Jim Duffy has received positive news from the treatment table with Gary Oliver expected to return to the matchday squad for Saturday’s Ladbrokes Championship fixture against Queen of the South.

Forward Oliver has been sidelined since suffering a knee injury in a 3-0 defeat away to Queen of the South five weeks ago and left Palmerston on crutches fearing his season was over.

However, the diagnosis came back better than expected and the Ton boss anticipates the 21-year-old will be ready to play some part this weekend after returning to full training.

Defender Michael Doyle is also on the mend following an ankle injury and should be available for selection after being an unused substitute against Dundee United a fortnight ago.

Speaking exclusively to gmfc.net, Duffy said: “Michael should be okay I think and Gary has been training this week. Certainly it may well be too early for him to start the game.

“That’s because he’s not had any football for about six weeks now, but he may well make the squad, and if he does that will be a boost for us, there’s no question about that.”

Celtic loanee Luke Donnelly, on the other hand, is a doubt  and Duffy added: “We’ve had a couple of boys ill this week. Thomas Orr, who is out on loan at BSC Glasgow, has tonsillitis and Luke Donnelly has been ill.

“He’s not trained this week with a virus, so we’ll have to have a look at Luke in particular before Saturday to see what his energy levels are like”

Image: David Bell