Albion Rovers boss Brian Reid has revealed experienced midfielder Paul Cairney is still a month away from making his debut.
The Cliftonhill gaffer brought the ex-Hibs man to Monklands in July, but he has yet to kick a ball for the League Two outfit after an ankle injury picked up in pre-season.
Rovers start their campaign on Saturday at home to Stenhousemuir and Reid said: "Paul picked up an ankle injury and missed a bit of training, so he's about three or four weeks away from being back.
"We need to do a bit of work on him to get him up to speed as quick as we can because he's an experienced player.
"He's the only player we've got over 30.
"After that you've got Fozzy [Gregor Fotheringham] and Lewis Baker, who are 26, and then it goes right down to 18, 19 year-olds."
Cairney had spent two years in the football wilderness after leaving Peterhead and hopes to reignite his career under Reid, whom he worked with at Stranraer.
Tonight Rovers will have to do without him as they tackle his old club Stranraer in the Betfred Cup group stages. Kick-off at Stair Park is 7.30pm.
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