Queen's Park boss delighted as striker to return from injury.

Feb 3 2010 by Will Henshaw, Rutherglen Reformer

GARDNER Speirs has claimed the return of the injured Ian Watt will feel like a new signing.

The striker had been out for most of the season due to a broken metatarsal.

And Gardner believes his return will inject further life into his Queen’s side, who have been enjoying a run of good form as of late.

He said: “We’re looking forward to getting our injured players back. Ian Watt is now almost back to full fitness and is available again and he’ll be in the squad to go to Livingston.

“He’s a player who’s good up front, he’s got pace and an eye for goal so we’re delighted he’s available again.”

Gardner admits his players were disappointed with the cancellation of the Livingston game.

Queen’s game against Livingston was being played on Tuesday night as the Reformer went to press.

Gardner added: “The players were looking forward to it so they’re are a bit disappointed.

“We were looking forward to it but unfortunately low temperatures put paid to that.

Next up for Queen’s is Stranraer at Hampden on Saturday.

Gardner knows it will be tricky, however he is hoping Queen’s can continue their good home form against The Blues who are currently third from bottom in the league: “They were unfortunately beaten at East Stirling on Saturday, I thought they deserved to get more out of the game.

“We want to keep up the good form we’ve had at home recently. We know it’ll be difficult.

“We’ve managed to win our last three at home so we’re looking to keep that run going.”

The Spiders haven’t been the busiest of clubs during the transfer window.

As reported in last week’s Reformer, they managed to secure an extension to Ricky Little’s loan deal.

And they have loaned a few players out themselves, however they have reserved the right to recall them should squad numbers dwindle.

Gardner added: “We’ve put a couple out of loan.

“Scott Black’s went to Rutherglen Glencairn on loan and Steven Reily’s went to Glenafton. We’ve done that to let the guys keep up their match sharpness.