Elgin City manager Allan Hale

Elgin City manager Allan Hale assesses defensive injuries and looks ahead to the league match at home to Stranraer.

Transcript

00:00I think if you look at Kyle Gervin, he's slotted in at centre-back.

00:03I know he's a natural centre-back, but we feel he's got the attributes to play a different position.

00:08I thought he was absolutely immense today, back there.

00:13I thought he was really, really good.

00:15Really assured, good at stepping into midfield with the ball, aggressive in the air.

00:20Recovery runs were really good.

00:22We didn't give up too much in the way of clear chances within the game.

00:27It is frustrating and disappointing because Draper and Jake have been outstanding so far this season.

00:33They've been so consistent in that back three or sometimes in the back four.

00:38It's been a big part of why we've been on the run that we've been on.

00:45It is a concern that both of them are injured.

00:48The length of time of what they might be as well is a little bit of a concern.

00:54We've got a squad for a reason.

00:56This will now test the depth of that squad over the next three or four weeks.

01:00It will be a really difficult game.

01:02They've really picked up under their new management team.

01:06They've had some positive results.

01:09It's going to be tough.

01:10It's going to be a different challenge, a different type of game than what it was today.

01:14They'll come here feeling confident from the run of form that they're on.

01:20Games against them are always tight and competitive.

01:23As I said, it's a different challenge that we need to stand up to.

01:26We'll get the group rested.

01:28Extra time takes a lot out of you.

01:30With that fatigue, you're at risk of people getting muscular injuries.

01:34It's something that we need to be aware of for the start of the week.

01:39We'll get rested up.

01:40The players look after themselves.

01:42We'll now focus on a really tough game next week.