Luke McCarvel is a doubt for Ross County's League One trip to Queen of the South this weekend. Manager Stuart Kettlewell is facing a selection puzzle and will make final calls on player availability over the next 48 hours, as his side prepares for the away fixture on Saturday 17 October. Ross County sit first in League One on 25 points after nine games, with eight wins and a draw.
McCarvel is dealing with an unspecified issue that puts his place in the squad for Saturday's match at Palmerston Park in doubt. This adds to Kettlewell's challenge of managing a squad where every young player is currently out on loan. "We will suck it and see over the next 24-48 hours as to whether some of these guys have a chance of making the squad," Kettlewell said.
Manager's approach to squad management
Kettlewell is weighing up whether to recall a young player from a co-operative loan or rely on his existing bench options. He prefers breakthrough talents to continue building minutes at their loan clubs, but the situation last weekend, where County were one substitute short against Montrose, has highlighted the need for depth. The manager rotated his team for a midweek trophy match to keep players sharp, a recurring theme this season.
He gets irked when teams with academies name light benches and stated he would not go three players light, but might field seven or eight instead of the maximum nine. "We've got everybody into the best possible place that we can," Kettlewell added, aiming to maintain team standards even if injuries occur or form dips.
Upcoming fixture context
The Staggies travel to Dumfries to face a Queen of the South side they demolished 8-0 at home just last month. That result is part of a formidable run that has seen Ross County climb to the top of the standings, amassing 25 points from nine unbeaten games. Their recent form reads five consecutive wins, including a 2-1 Challenge Cup victory over Forfar Athletic on Tuesday and a 5-0 league thrashing of Montrose. The team's recent form is five wins and no draws or losses from their last five matches, a run that includes a 4-1 win over Alloa Athletic and a 14-0 victory against Hearts U21.
With 31 goals scored and only five conceded this campaign, County's attack is in ruthless form as they prepare for the fixture. Queen of the South, currently sixth, will be desperate for a response after that heavy defeat. Kettlewell's final squad decisions, expected by Friday, will be key as he looks to extend his side's lead at the summit. The team's last result was a 2-1 win over Forfar Athletic on Tuesday 13 October, with goals from J. Turner and C. Hamilton.
