Gary Woods Hopes To Claim Number One Jersey In Absence Of Scott Fox
Gary Woods has every sympathy for injured team-mate Scott Fox - but that will not stop him trying to snatch the Ross County number one shirt for good.
Gary Woods has every sympathy for injured team-mate Scott Fox - but that will not stop him trying to snatch the Ross County number one shirt for good.
On-loan Leyton Orient stopper Woods is set to take over in goal for the Staggies when they host Premiership leaders Aberdeen on Friday night.
Fox was injured in the Dingwall side's Highland derby defeat to local rivals Inverness a fortnight ago and the ankle ligament damage he sustained is due to sideline the former Partick keeper for at least two months.
Woods, 25, is reluctant to look too gleeful now that he is set to get his chance but the former Manchester United youngster is determined to make the most of his chance.
He said: I would never wish an injury on another player. It's just unfortunate what happened to Scott and I wish him a speedy recovery.
But now it's a chance for me to get a run of games and hopefully keep the spot.
We are never going to go the whole season without injuries but that is part of football. It's up to the guys coming in to take their opportunity and keep the others out the team because at the end of the day, everyone wants to play.
There's only 11 shirts available so it's up to the gaffer to pick who he wants to play. Scott is now injured so hopefully I can keep the shirt for a long time.''
County have been forced to agonise over their 2-1 defeat by Caley Thistle for a fortnight while the Premiership paused for the international break.
But while the rest of the Staggies were down in the dumps, top scorer Liam Boyce was part of the Northern Ireland squad which sparked wild celebrations by qualifying for Euro 2016.
The striker has already netted 11 times this season for his club side but Woods hopes the lure of playing at the finals in France next summer will drive him on to more.
Liam's international break was fantastic after Northern Ireland qualified,'' said the keeper.
He's going to come back raring to go to make sure he gets in that squad at the end of the season.
We know what he's capable of - he's been on fire so far this season and hopefully that continues.''