Co-operative Insurance Cup

SECOND round

FORFAR v DUNDEE

Third Division table-topping manager Dick Campbell is desperate for his Forfar players to atone for their 6-1 defeat by Partick Thistle in the Alba Challenge Cup last week.

Campbell said: "Station Park will be packed for this game and I want us to put on a much better performance this time round."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Striker Ross Campbell should be fit for this one after missing out in Forfar's 2-1 win at Montrose on Saturday with Andy Tod okay to play despite his red card at Links Park.

Dundee are still not firing on all cylinders in the Irn-Bru League, but in cup matches this season they have bagged eight goals in two games against Stranraer and Cowdenbeath. Manager Jocky Scott looks set to be without goalkeeper Rab Douglas, defenders David Cowan and Craig McKeown, midfielder Darren Young and summer signing Pat Clarke up front.

Scott said: "I have been disappointed in our ability to hold a lead in the league games and if we get in front at Forfar we will need to hold it as Dick will no doubt throw everything at us."

PARTICK THISTLE v QUEEN OF THE SOUTH

These sides meet for the second time in three days with the Firhill men still smarting from the loss of a late David Weatherston goal to give the Palmerston Park men victory in league business on Saturday. Partick striker Liam Buchanan should be available to start this game if his groin injury has suffered no reaction after a 35-minute substitute appearance at the weekend.

The Co-operative Insurance Cup Young Player of the First Round, Chris Erskine, may also be handed a starting role,

Thistle manager Ian McCall said: "We do not have a massive squad to make changes, although I feel that there are not too many changes to be made."

Queen of the South manager Gordon Chisholm may look to start with Saturday's match-winner Weatherston on from the start. Chisholm said: "David has pace to burn and on Saturday he showed the composure he has sometimes been lacking so he has given me plenty to think about."

Defender Craig Barr is definitely ruled out with fellow stopper Gerry McLauchlan and striker Stewart Kean rated as doubtful.

INVERNESS CT v ALBION ROVERS

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Terry Butcher's re-cast side found the net four times against Annan Athletic in the first round of the Co-operative Insurance Cup and five times against Stranraer in the Alba Challenge Cup, so facing Third Division opposition a third time should hold no fears for them.

Butcher can use defender Ross Tokely as his suspension only applies to league matches, however it looks like he will again be missing defender Richard Hastings who is rated doubtful, along with the attacking trio of Dougie Imrie, Andy Barrowman and Eric Odhiambo.

Butcher said: "We will be treating Albion Rovers with a lot of respect as their win over Livingston made everyone sit up and take notice."

The Coatbridge side's 3-0 win over Livingston was more than enough to win them The Co-operative Insurance Cup Team of the Round.

Manager Martin's last trip North was not a good one however, as his side crashed 3-0 to Elgin last Tuesday in the Alba Challenge Cup. Their bad luck continued with Saturday's game at Queen's Park called off and Rovers travel without injured defender Todd Lumsden and midfielder Ciaran Donnelly.

ROSS COUNTY v HAMILTON

The Dingwall men lost for the first time this season on Saturday after a fairly low key performance against Raith Rovers, with manager Derek Adams expecting an improvement against the Accies.

These sides met on Scottish Cup duty earlier this year with Hamilton winning 1-0 in controversial circumstances when their goalkeeper Thomas Cerny was let off with a full-length diving save two yards outside his box by the match official Crawford Allan.

County manager Derek Adams said: "We deserved a draw at least the last time we faced Hamilton and would have probably have got it if that decision had been given."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Paul Lawson made a playing comeback on Saturday for the Dingwall men although this game may have came too soon for defender Stuart Golabek and striker Michael Gardyne.

Hamilton made the quarter finals of both domestic cup competitions last season to create history for the club, however they go into this game after a 3-0 home defeat by Aberdeen in the SPL. Manager Billy Reid said: "We can bring back Mark McLaughlin and James McArthur for this game."

Midfielder David Lonhoungou and striker Leon Knight may feature from the start after second half substitute appearances on Saturday.