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BOSS PLEDGES NEW YEAR PERSONNEL CHANGES
ARBROATH manager Jim Weir says there is no doubt he will want to add to his squad in the upcoming transfer window, but admitted players could also be travelling in the opposite direction.
The boss has spoken for the past couple of weeks of wanting to strengthen several areas of the squad and he now says some players could be leaving Gayfield in January.
He told the Arbroath Herald that some players will have to take the opportunity to move on to other clubs.
He said: "Of course, we are certainly looking to improve the squad but I will have to speak to one or two players who might need to move on for a fresh challenge.
"I will be looking to adapt the squad but I won't be making a whole lot of changes."
Last week, Mr Weir signed St Mirren youngster, Kyle Faulds, on a month-long loan in addition to Kenny McLean, also from St Mirren, and Daniel McKay from Kilmarnock.
In their last home game against Stirling Albion, Mr Weir had nine first team regulars struggling with injuries and there are another two players who need surgery.
Now, the manager says he hopes to welcome back three of those injured players in tomorrow's Boxing Day clash against East Fife.
Mr Weir continued: "It has been a major blow to us over the past few weeks to have so many players out but some of them are getting back to fitness now.
"Ian Dobbins, Marc McCulloch and Jamie Bishop have been able to train this week so there is a chance they could be back for the East Fife game.
"We have also got the three young lads on loan but Dermot McCaffrey has gone back to Falkirk.
"There are quite a few youngsters who are also on loan at other clubs that we can look at as we are always looking to strengthen the team."
Central defence has been one area where the Lichties have been lacking and in recent weeks three out of four central defenders have been on the injury list.
This even prompted Mr Weir to come on as a sub in Arbroath's last game, but the manager hopes this problem is now over.
"He said: "Now with Ian Dobbins and Jamie Bishop returning we will get a bit of competition for places going but it could be an area we need to strengthen."
In the last game of 2009, the Lichties will be taking on East Fife, who are one place above them in Division Two, at Gayfield.
The Fifers are four points ahead of Mr Weir's men, so even if they can take all three points from the game they will still be unable to leapfrog them in the table.
The boss knows that the right results are needed now and hopes a good run will start on Saturday.
He explained: "We need to improve our league position and we must start getting the right results and some points on the board. We've got two home games coming up over the next few weeks so we have got to claw some points back.
"The game against East Fife is going to be difficult and I'm sure they will be looking to increase the gap between us but we have got to close the gap and the players have got to do that."
Saturday's game against Cowdenbeath fell victim to the wintry weather with the fixture being called off early morning after a night of snow and plummeting temperatures.
Mr Weir says his team were up for the game but this extra week has given him the opportunity to get some of players back to fitness in time for the next two home games.
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Weather for Arbroath
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
