Allan injury could prove to be Wick's Achilles heel
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Wick boss Tom McKenna is sweating on the fitness of Davie Allan after the forward was struck down with tendinitis.
Allan, one of Academy's leading attackers, was rested from training after a niggle in his Achilles tendon brought about the diagnosis.
The Scorries train mostly on the all-weather surfaces at Naver and Wick High School which are much firmer underfoot than the natural grass at Harmsworth Park.
At the moment, it is touch and go to see if Allan will line up for Wick when they visit Huntly on Highland League business on Saturday with McKenna fearing the player's absence could be longer.
He said: "It's a tough one to call as each player reacts differently to tendinitis.
"Davie might not make it for Saturday and it could possibly be longer. We'll have to wait and see.
"I'm just hoping that his bout is not as bad as the one I had when I was playing in the South African league [for AmaZulu FC] a few years ago.
"South Africa has harder pitches than the ones we have over here and I got tendinitis which put me out for three months.
"It really does restrict your mobility. You have to have plenty of rest and maybe stretch your ankle as and when you can.
"But we'll wait and see how Davie's own injury shapes up. Hopefully it won't be as bad as that."
He has damaged some soft tissue so it's likely he'll be out.
It has been a mixed bag on the injury front for McKenna.
He added: "Jack Henry came through a bounce game during training. He's obviously a bit stiff having been out for so long, but all being well he should be in contention for Saturday.
"We're also hoping to have the two Mackays back – Danny and Sam – who have had work commitments to fulfil recently.
"However, on the negative side, Ben Sinclair is on crutches. He picked up a leg knock at Fort William last weekend and only when he got back home did it begin to worsen.
"It turns out he has damaged some soft tissue so it's likely he'll be out for Saturday.
"Marc Macgregor's injury is still ongoing. He said his knee still doesn't feel better and it could be a while before he comes back."
Allan's potential absence would be a blow to Academy for the trip to Huntly given Wick have enjoyed some success with their wide play.
It has been noticeable of late that a good deal of the Scorries' goals have come from their wide men getting behind opposition defences to drill in crosses for the likes of striker Craig Gunn to knock in.
McKenna added: "I started off as a wide player myself so I've tried to pass on my experience for our boys to utilise the width of the park in order to create chances.
"Davie's injury will be a big blow in that aspect but I'm confident that others in the squad can take on that responsibility and ensure our strikers continue to get the same level of service."
Academy go into the game at Christie Park on a run of four league games unbeaten – a 2-0 win at home to Turriff, the 2-2 draw at Forres and a 5-1 home thumping of Lossiemouth before last Saturday's 4-1 victory over much-improved Fort at Claggan Park.
