Decimated Rothes squad boosted by three new signings ahead of Saturday's Utilita Highland League Cup semi-final at Formartine United.
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ROTHES have made a triple signing ahead of Saturday's Utilita Highland League Cup semi-final.
Manager Ross Jack faced a situation of having just 11 senior players available for the trip to Formartine United.
So he has stepped in to sign former Caley Thistle attacker Ross Gunn and ex-Ross County and Wick Academy goalkeeper Danny McCarthy.
In a further boost for the Speysiders, midfielder Jack Maley, who left the club in the summer, has agreed to sign a short term deal to help them out.
Maley had left the MacKessack Park club as he was based down south in his new job with the police.
Defender Jamie Duff has taken a break from football due to injury while Dale Wood made the switch to Forres Mechanics.
The Covid-19 pandemic took its toll on the Rothes squad with both striker Steven Anderson and goalkeeper Robbie Donaldson furloughed and unable to travel.
Key midfielder Gregg Main is banned for the semi-final while injury robs the Moray club of the services of defenders Paul Macleod and Ryan McRitchie, and attacker Aidan Wilson.
By the middle of this week, Jack could count just 12 available players including under-20s recruit Ewan Neil, who had been loaned out to Nairn St Ninian juniors last season.
He now has 15 with another possible loan signing to come in for Saturday.
"We are not blessed with options but at least we have these lads in now, and I know everyone will be right up for this game," said Jack.
"It's a huge game, a chance for these players to make history if they can get to a cup final."
Gunn (19) joins former Caley Thistle team-mate Jack Brown at the club, with Brown rejecting a move to Cove Rangers for the chance to play every week at Rothes.
Both players were on loan at Fort William last season, with Brown then making a second loan move to the Speysiders for the second half of the season.
"Jack is a great acquisition and I fully believe he's got a lot higher to go to yet," Jack added.
"I'm delighted to get Ross in as well. he's a young lad who can play on either wing and is more than capable of chipping in with goals."
New keeper McCarthy teams up again with his brother Sean, who signed for Rothes in the summer. The siblings were at Ross County and Wick Academy in the past.
Sean will make his Rothes debut at Formartine with Danny on the bench, ready to deputise if required.
Maley has been cleared by the SFA to play as an emergency signing.
Rothes also handed first team contracts this week to youth team players Scott Anderson and Charlie Christie, with Anderson likely to feature in their squad for Saturday.
