Gary Woods aims to keep No. 1 shirt for good

Gary Woods in action for Ross County. Picture: SNS

On-loan Leyton Orient stopper Woods is set to take over in goal for the Staggies when they host Ladbrokes Premiership leaders Aberdeen tonight.

Fox was injured in the Dingwall side’s Highland derby defeat by 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, said: “I would never wish an injury on another player. I wish Scott 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.”

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 in the Northern Ireland squad which clinched their place at Euro 2016.

The striker has already netted 11 times this season for County and 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.”