Football previews: Dundee manager preaches caution

Smith said: "We had to grind out a win against Morton at the weekend and we will require the same application to win this. We are not in a position to take anyone lightly. We just need to look back at the score from the last game, when Cowdenbeath beat us 2-1, to see that."

Midfielder Nicky Reilly and striker Sean Higgins face fitness tests before they can be included in Smith's line-up.

Cowdenbeath manager Jimmy Nicholl said: "Dundee's fitness levels will be better than us as we have not played for over three weeks. We have not even trained outdoors so it is not ideal preparation, but we are looking forward to playing again."

Nicholl's injury problems are clearing up with the defensive trio of John Armstrong, Joe Mbu and Kenny Adamson available.

DUNFERMLINE v PARTICK

Dunfermline's sixth win in seven games at East End Park came on Saturday as they saw off Queen of the South, but they will be missing Willie Gibson following his sending-off.

Either Joe Cardle, who came off the bench to score the winner at the weekend, or Paul Willis will step in. Defender Neil McGregor is available after suspension, but Greg Paterson, Jack Ross, Alex Burke and Steven Bell remain unavailable. Manager Jim McIntyre said: "Thistle still have a core of very experienced players. The quality of guys like Simon Donnelly still shines through."

Partick travel without captain Alan Archibald, who is suspended following his dismissal against Ross County on Saturday. Jackie McNamara could step in. Ryan McBeth remains out, but striker Liam Buchanan is available. Manager Ian McCall said: "We are on a decent wee run just now and there is more tocome from these players but this will be a tough, tough game."

FALKIRK v RAITH ROVERS

Falkirk winger Jack Compton is back in the squad for the first time since October, but his hopes of a return to action depend on a 10am pitch inspection.

A win would pull Falkirk, who have not played competitively for a month, to within two points of their visitors and manager Steven Pressley, who said: ""We played really well in our last game when we beat Stirling Albion 5-0 so all the interruptions came at a bad time for us. Hopefully we will have a big crowd behind us."

Raith manager John McGlynn said: "We want to test ourselves against the likes of Falkirk, Dunfermline and Dundee away to keep our good away record going."McGlynn is without Dougie Hill and Stephen Simmonds because of injury with on-loan Hearts striker Jamie Mole a doubt with a knee injury.

ROSS COUNTY v MORTON

County welcome back striker Michael Gardyne from suspension as manager Willie McStay makes takes charge of his first home game. McStay is looking forward to seeing the player he coached as a youth at Celtic play and said: "Our game at Partick was crying out for someone who has the craft and guile of Michael so hopefully we can see some of that against Morton."

Morton went down to Dundee at the weekend, but manager Allan Moore said: "We had a lot of bad luck against Dundee. We were denied a penalty and had a good goal disallowed."

The Greenock side look set to be without striker Peter Weatherson through a back injury.

SECOND DIVISION

PETERHEAD v AIRDRIE UTD

The two clubs were quick to set up the game at Balmoor tonight after United's Scottish Cup tie with Beith was called off.

Peterhead will want to erase the memory of Saturday's 5-0 defeat from Brechin City, but will be without Stuart Anderson following his red card at the weekend.

For United, on-loan Dundee United midfielder Ryan McCord and striker Scott Gemmill have returned to full fitness but Ryan Wallace is out through a one game ban.

THIRD DIVISION

ELGIN CITY v ALBION ROVERS

Rovers have requested on a noon pitch inspection before setting off on their 190-mile journey to Elgin, but the home side are confident the game will go ahead as they aim to close to within a point of their second-placed visitors. However, a win for Rovers would put them top of the table.