First Division: Brown plots Clyde's survival route

Published on Monday 9 March 2009 22:40

CLYDE v ST JOHNSTONE

CLYDE'S survival bid got a huge boost on Saturday when they took all three points from their trip to Partick Thistle, and they know that another top performance is required if they are to take anything from their match with St Johnstone, who are unbeaten in six months in the league, albeit having drawn most of their matches recently.

Broadwood manager John Brown said: "I am targeting at least another four wins from our final nine games. If we can get them, I do not think we will need to worry about play-offs or anything else. Taking three points from Firhill was fantastic and we have a good record against St Johnstone this season with a win apiece and a draw."

Brown welcomes back captain Billy Gibson after a ban but striker Pat Clarke is suspended.

St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes had Clyde to thank for taking all three points from their nearest challengers at the weekend, with Saints increasing their lead at the top by a point when they drew with Ross County. But he knows his side have to start turning draws into wins.

Andy Jackson, Jody Morris, Peter MacDonald and Steven Doris remain out injured, although forwards Martin Hardie and Steven Milne may be handed starting places.

McInnes said: "Clyde always seem to give us a really hard game and were the last team to beat us so we know we are in for a tough night."

DUNDEE v QUEEN OF THE SOUTH

DUNDEE were idle on Saturday, giving manager Jocky Scott the opportunity to rest central defenders Craig McKeown and Jim Lauchlan, both of whom would have struggled to make it. Fellow defender David Cowan had also been reported as a doubt but Scott said: "David will be fine and I am quite hopeful the other two will make it as well."

Three draws in a row have slowed down Queen of the South's progress up the league and Gordon Chisholm's men know that they need to start picking up wins to finally climb clear of the relegation issue.

Chisholm said: "Just when you think you are going to start climbing a set of results comes along and you are left where you were."

Queens will be without Sean O'Connor, with Paul Burns a doubt. Craig Barr definitely misses out as he is halfway through a three-game ban.

LIVINGSTON v DUNFERMLINE

LIVINGSTON captain Chris Innes goes straight back into the Almondvale side to help stem the flood of goals that have been lost in his absence through suspension.

Livingston have shipped eight goals to Partick Thistle and Airdrie without Innes and manager Paul Hegarty said: "Chris will slot back in as our defence was poor against Airdrie and we need his marshalling qualities. Some of the goals we lost on Saturday were crazy."

Dave McKay looks like he will miss the game but youngster Andrew Halliday returns to the squad after flu.

Dunfermline won at Almondvale earlier in the season and are hoping striker Graham Bayne is available despite having stitches put in his head and tongue during the Scottish Cup clash with Aberdeen. Defender Calum Woods is banned.

MORTON v AIRDRIE UNITED

MORTON have risen to a season-high fourth place and a victory over bottom-placed Airdrie United may ignite talk of a promotion challenge from the Greenock side. Manager David Irons is cautious, however.

He said: "If we can win our next two games we will be well established in the top half and we will see how close we are to things then."

Defender Alex Walker may be set for a return but Dominic Shimmin is rated doubtful.

Airdrie manager Kenny Black has winger Joe Cardle banned following his red card at the weekend.

"If we win at Cappielow it keeps everything tight and means that Morton who are fourth would only be five points ahead of us," said Black.

Captain Paul Lovering is included and midfielder Kevin McDonald is available after a ban.

ROSS COUNTY v PARTICK THISTLE

ROSS County are undefeated in four games and have beaten Thistle in all three league meetings so far this season. However, the Dingwall club are on the fringes of both the relegation and promotion issues in the tightest league in the country.

Manager Derek Adams said: "If we turn our games in hand into points we shoot up the table whereas if we don't we need to start looking over our shoulder at Clyde and Airdrie. It is a fantastic league for the fans but maybe not for managers."

Adams looks set to rule out midfielder Richard Brittain and strikers John Stewart and Dene Shields through injury.

Partick will stand by goalkeeper Jonny Tuffey despite his mistake costing his side three points at the weekend against Clyde. Manager Ian McCall said: "The thought never entered my head to drop Jonny."