A RETURN to fitness for key players could be vital in helping Tranent Juniors clinch the East of Scotland Football League Premier Division title, according to the club’s manager.
The three-horse race between league leaders Linlithgow Rose, Penicuik Athletic and Tranent Juniors looks set to go down to the wire.
Three points separate the three teams and that could be down to just a single point if Penicuik and Tranent win their games in hand, leaving just eight games to play.
Calum Elliot stressed winning that game in hand was not a foregone conclusion but felt that his side had already proved some doubters wrong in holding their own in the title race.
He said: “I don’t think anybody was speaking about us three or four weeks ago.
“That has possibly changed now.
“Credit to the boys for taking hits on the chin and coming back and showing they have got the character.
“We had really bad luck with injuries but now is probably the first time all season where I have had a fully fit squad to choose from, which is massive for us.
“It is really, really good.
“Training is very good and there is real competition for places.
“Nobody is guaranteed to play and we are looking forward to the end of the season now.”
Tranent’s squad has been boosted not only by the return of key players but also by two new arrivals.
Defender Callum Donaldson has made the short move from Musselburgh Athletic to Tranent and has been joined by Kris Renton, who made an immediate impact in scoring the only goal of the game against Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale last month.
Elliot was pleased with the new arrivals, who he felt could be crucial over the remaining contests.
He said: “We signed Callum on a pre-contract. He was not getting an opportunity and the chance came up to bring him in early.
“He knows what he is coming into next season.
“Kris became available and it was a no brainer for us.
“There seems to be this idea that we spend ridiculous amounts of money but we have been very, very clever with what we have done.
“Now, we are coming to the point of the season where we are as strong as we have been.
“It offers no guarantees but it gives us a chance.
“It is now a case of myself bringing the best out of the players to make sure everybody is ready to go.
“We have competition all over the team and the boys are thriving off that.”
Tranent’s remaining fixtures include a double-header with Linlithgow Rose, while the West Lothian side are scheduled to face Penicuik on the last day of the campaign.
The Belters do not have another league contest until next Saturday (March 19), when they travel to Dundonald Bluebell.
The majority of fixtures in March are in the League Cup, with Elliot’s men sharing a group with Lochore Welfare, who they play today (Friday), Camelon Juniors, Syngenta and Hawick Royal Albert United.
Despite that, the manager was quick to stress he did not see the competition – or other cups – as an unwelcome distraction.
He told Courier Sport: “If you ask the boys, they want to play.
“We have got a big squad now and boys will be given opportunities.”
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