Neither player has managed an appearance for the Pars since their promotion to the Scottish Premier League.
Phinn suffered a setback when he tore his hamstring in training on Friday, just days after finally returning from the tear he picked up in pre-season, while former Stirling midfielder Bell has spent an agonising spell on the sidelines with an Achilles injury.
"It's not been the best week on the injury front, that's for sure," said McIntyre, whose team face leaders Celtic tonight.
"I am gutted for Nicky, he's a great footballer and we had big hopes of him making a real impact on the Premier League this year. He is very good on the ball and a very clever player, I believe he would have complimented our team very well.
"These times are set to test you and Nicky is having a hard time of things just now. As always he'll get our full support, we will nurse him back and hopefully he will get a bit of luck towards the end of the season.
"Steven Bell is still in a rest period as he has fluid in the bone. It's a bit of a double-edged sword for him, as he has to work the injury and get back running, however as he's been idle for a while the fluid begins to build up and he has to rest again.
"It's not been great for either player but they have our full support and we hope that they can make full recovery and return to the team."
McIntyre is convinved his Dunfermline side have enough quality to avoid relegation, despite them languishing bottom of the SPL ahead of the trip to Parkhead.
Mark Kerr (ankle), Iain Turner (back), Steven Bell (knee) and Andrew Barrowman (calf) also remain sidelined in the Pars treatment room.
McIntyre said: "I don't want to be sitting talking about injuries as I still think we have enough good players here to continue to produce football results.
"Obviously when you lose key players at key times it isn't ideal and it can affect things, but there is still enough quality here to get results. We have to believe we can keep narrowing the gap, we have got back on level terms albeit on goal difference.
"Nicky's injury came as a hammer blow. He has injured his hamstring again and it's a bad tear. He's having a difficult time just now but as always we will nurse him back and hopefully he will get a break come the end of the season."
Post Comment
