RENFREW FC co-manager Colin Clark has revealed that he will be without star striker Alain Kinney for the whole of next season after the forward suffered cruciate ligament damage.

Kinney went down with no one near him in Renfrew's 2-1 win over Girvan in the Evening Times Cup on June 1. The initial news was better than first feared when an x-ray showed up a fracture in his knee, which would only have kept Frew's goal machine out until around September.

However that is now believed to be an old fracture after an MRI scan revealed anterior cruciate ligament damage.

Clark and fellow co-manager Martin Ferry are now facing a season without last season's top scorer. Kinney netted 26 goals in 29 games as Renfrew won the Central District First Division title and Clark admits the striker will be irreplaceable.

He said: "Alain Kinney is going to be out for a long time. His x-ray showed a break, but it looked like that has been a false dawn for him.

"It showed an old break at the top of his tibia. But when he got his MRI scan it showed ACL damage so he is going to need an operation.

"So he'll probably be out for a year, we've got to write him off for this season unfortunately and go from there.

"It is a huge blow and we're really gutted for him especially after getting that bit of hope that it wouldn't be as bad.

"It's going to be extremely difficult for us to replace the goals and the experience he gave us. He's going to be a huge loss to us and he's someone we probably can't replace, we'll just have to adapt in other ways."

Meanwhile Frew have strengthened his ranks with the additions of experienced centre backs Martin McInnes (Neilston) and Martin Brogan (Cambuslang Rangers), striker Scott Morton (Bellshill Athletic) and youngsters Lee Coachrane and Kieran Healy from Johnstone Burgh under-21s.

Clark insists Brogan and McInnes' experience in the Super Leagues will be crucial and the Burgh pair are more than ready for the step up to junior level.

He said: "Brogan is bit more versatile, he's a centre half but can play across the midfield or at right back, he gives us good options.

"McInnes is a big dominant defender but he is also good at playing out from the back which we are going to need moving forward on our 4G pitch.

"They tick the box of having experience in this league as well.

"The two boys from Johnstone Burgh are ready to go, they have the ability to get into the team.

"I think they had a few clubs interested in them so it was good we could get them on board.

"Scott Morton is a good addition in the striking areas, he will score goals in this league."