Linlithgow boss Dave Baikie hit by freak injuries but he signs new striker

The former Cowdenbeath and East Fife boss has been left shaking his head in disbelief by the following series of events since his side's last game in the middle of last month:

• John Adam, whose previous clubs include Rangers and Morton, has decided to pack in football after just two games for Linlithgow.

• Ian Nimmo, who had been on loan from Brechin and had also made just two appearances for the East Region Super League side, has been recalled to Glebe Park by Jim Duffy.

• Keith Hogg snapped his Achilles' tendon when he went down with no-one near him in training and is out for a year.

• Gary Kelly has discovered he's got a blood clot in both his leg and lung and will be out for the forseeable future.

• Craig McEwan, the former Raith Rovers player, slipped on his drive and has torn a medial ligament with possible cartilage damage as well.

"Five players lost and we've not kicked a ball for weeks," said Baikie, who has been bedevilled by injuries this season, with two of his top strikers, Gordon Herd and Tommy Coyne, both having missed games in the opening half of the campaign.

"Four of the players we have lost are central midfielders and that's frustrating as it's an area we wanted to strengthen. We thought we'd done that with the signings of Ward and Nimmo but now we are back to square one."

The one plus point for Baikie at the moment is the signing of King, who was put on the transfer list by Musselburgh boss David McGlynn just before the Christmas and New Year break.

King scored 64 goals for the Olivebank club, helping them win the Premier Division last season as well as the MJM Flooring Cup.

"We are very pleased to sign Chris," said the Linlithgow boss. "Unfortunately, he is cup-tied in the Scottish Junior Cup (he played for Musselburgh against Irvine Meadow earlier in the season] but he has signed for two years and I am confident Linlihtgow will benefit from having him going forward.

"He's a good finisher with both feet, passes the ball well, can be quite aggressive and can also play in midfield when required.

"He's a good signing for us because, with Gordon Herd and Tommy Coyne both out at the moment, Paddy Flannery has been asked to plough a lone furrow up front and that's been a bit unfair on him."

Linlithgow, who were due to entertain Cumnock in the Junior Cup tomorrow but Prestonfield is still covered in snow, are likely to be without both Herd and Coyne for a little longer even though the weather is reducing the matches the pair would have missed due to their respective injuries.

"While Gordon should resume full training soon, the one worry I have is that having to train indoors, as we are at the moment, might have an adverse effect on him," said Baikie. "I am also wary about rushing him back too soon as I think that's what happened earlier in the season when he was out with a groin problem and then picked up an ankle injury when he returned.

"As for Tommy, I think it is going to be another month before he is fit again. He's suffered ankle ligament damage and seems as though he is suffering from a bit of tendonitis as well."