Airdrie player/boss offers update on his injury as he looks to Raith Rovers clash

Injured Airdrie player/boss Rhys McCabe has revealed he hopes to be back on the pitch before the end of the season.

The midfielder has been out since suffering a calf strain which forced him to come off at half-time of the Diamonds' SPFL Trust Trophy final win over The New Saints on March 24.

He missed yesterday's 3-1 win over Morton that put them in pole position to claim the final play-off spot in the Championship, but says he won't rush his recovery just to help Airdrie's promotion push.

Asked when fans might see him back on the pitch, the 31-year-old said: "It is one of those where trying to rush back for the remaining games is not something I am planning on doing.

"I have got to make sure I recover properly.

"Ultimately, the boys have done well [without him].

"Dean [McMaster] has stepped in and we've seen in his last performances that he has done really well, and been really positive.

"I am hoping with the way it is feeling, I will be able to get back into training in a couple of weeks.

"But I am 10 days or so in now and it is still aggravating me so I'll just need to see.

"A lot of my focus has been on the games Tuesday, Saturday and the preparations so that has taken my focus away from my rehab side of things.

"But we are in a good position now and hopefully I can get back before the end of the season."

The Diamonds travel to Raith on Tuesday night to play their game in hand and strengthen their grip on fourth place further.

They have yet to lose to the title-chasing Kirkcaldy side, managed by McCabe's old gaffer Ian Murray, in four meetings this term.

But McCabe said: "Of course we are confident, but the previous results mean nothing.

"Raith have shown over the course of the season that they are in a title race