Published: Friday, 18th April, 2008 12:00pm

Peebles boss counts cost of injuries

PEEBLES boss Mark Lamb is busy patching up his players ahead of tomorrow"s crunch promotion tie with Gala Fairydean.

Although his team came out of Tuesday night"s conflict against Vale of Leithen with all three points, the war wounds forced the boss to cancel last night"s training.

And he hopes the bruises and swelling will have gone down by tomorrow"s kick off at Whitestone Park.

Lamb told the Peeblesshire News: 'The boys have all rested up following the Vale game and they just went for a swim instead of training.

'It was a hard physical game and every one of them was feeling it the following morning.

'Apart from Andy Martin, who is struggling a little, everyone should be fine for the arrival of Gala.

'Every game from now on in is a big game and I"m really looking forward to the Gala Fairydean game.'

Peebles welcome back striker Michael Moffat from suspension for tomorrow"s game.

And a win could take Lamb"s side back into second place.

He added: 'We have games in hand over the top two and we"re still very much in with a chance of winning this league.

'I didn"t see Tuesday"s game but by all accounts we are back to our best.'

Ironically Vale of Leithen"s game tomorrow is every bit as important for promotion chasing Peebles, as they travel to second placed Civil Service Strollers.

And co-manager Lyndsay Rathie believes his players can upset the odds - if they play anything like as good as they did on Tuesday.

He told us: 'The big games are coming quick and fast.

'We showed on Tuesday that we can play - but the result means promotion has slipped away.

'We still want to finish as high up the league as we can and if we can repeat that effort we can get something from the Strollers game.'

Rathie"s players were also left sore following Tuesday"s derby.

But the only injury doubt for tomorrow"s trip to the capital is midfield ace Steven Notman.

Vale won"t get any time to rest as they entertain Kelso United on Tuesday evening in the King Cup.

Peebles" home match with Gala Fairydean and Vale"s game at Muirehouse both kick off tomorrow at 2.30pm.

Vale"s cup clash with Kelso at Victoria Park starts at 6.45pm.