Dumbarton boss Stevie Aitken admits he is concerned by his growing injury list ahead of tonight’s Scottish Cup third round replay against Junior side Bonnyrigg Rose.

The Sons will be favourites to progress at the Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium this evening, but Aitken has warned against complacency with many of his key men missing.

And after narrowly avoiding a cup shock in the first meeting between the sides, he is hoping that his men can overcome Bonnyrigg’s challenge even if they are down to the bare bones.

“We’re looking forward to it, but obviously we’re a wee bit worried with the injury situation as it is at the minute,” Aitken said.

“We’ve been down to the bare bones for the last few weeks, and of course it is a concern, but I’m sure the players that are picked will go and give it their best shot.

“We’re missing a lot of key players. Frazer Wright is injured, Grant Gallagher too along with Sam Stanton and Garry Fleming has been playing with a broken wrist. Mark Docherty has been playing through injury too and he’ll be touch and go.

“So you’re talking about five or six players out of a squad of just 16 or 17, so that makes it difficult.

“The ones who have been playing have been doing great though, and they are going to have to continue to dig deep just now.

“It is important that the senior players stand up to carry you through, and the likes of Darren Barr and Ryan Stevenson have been terrific.

“Ryan popped up with an outstanding goal at the weekend, and that’s what he’s capable of.”

Aitken knows that all the pressure ahead of the tie is on his Championship outfit, and that there will be no hiding place should they fall to the New Dundas Park outfit.

“It was the same in the first game where everyone was expecting us to go there and win,” he said. “Credit to Bonnyrigg, they deserved their replay and they were great on the day.

“But we’re still in the tie and we have them back at our own place now, and again everyone will be expecting us to win the game.

“That will bring its own pressure, but we have to make sure we’re organised again and that the players feed off the good result they had at the weekend.

“If we can do that then hopefully it will be enough to get us into the next round of the cup.

“There will be pressure on us and I’m sure the Bonnyrigg players will be going out there trying to enjoy it.”