Queens Park manager Gus McPherson has welcomed former Annan striker Kenny Mackay to the club as he looks to add competition for the second half of the season.

The Spiders were left a little light in the striking department after Chris Duggan returned to parent club Partick Thistle, but McPherson is still hopeful of also securing his return to Hampden.

He said: “Kenny’s a proven striker at this level of football. He’s had injury problems and had surgery at the end of the summer, but he’s been working hard to get back to fitness and has been training with us for the last few weeks.

“We’ve seen enough to know that he will add real competition for places and strengthen the group.

“I think it might take him a wee bit of time to get up to speed and we’ll have to manage his introduction to the team. I’m sure he’ll strengthen the side, we’ll just have to manage him correctly.

“We’d still like to bring Chris back as well. We’re obviously waiting to see what Partick Thistle are going to do and of course Chris and his agent will have a decision to make, but we’ve signalled our intention and now we just have to wait and see what happens now.

“We’re still trying to add another couple, and if we can get them in then it will certainly help the rest of the group.

“We’re competing well in the league, so we just want to provide a little bit more competition in the squad to try and help the lads out.”

McPherson is taking nothing for granted as his second-top side travel to face second-bottom Berwick Rangers today, having had problems against them already this term.

“We’ve lost twice to Berwick already this season with two narrow defeats, and it’s just typical of this league,” he said.

“You can’t take any game for granted, it’s very competitive home and away.

“You get honest endeavour from all the teams in this division. Consistency can be an issue, which is probably the most frustrating factor, but every manager in the league I’m sure is confident they have a group of players that can compete with any other team on their day.”