Airdrie bid to avenge 7-2 Lanarkshire derby defeat

Airdrie welcome back skipper Paul Lovering and defender Rhys Devlin from suspension as they go looking for revenge for November’s 7-2 defeat by their Lanarkshire neighbours. However, Derek Holmes and Graeme Owens are out through injury.

Diamonds manager Jimmy Boyle said: “The last game was a sore one to take but it would be great to win this one for our first back-to-back victories of the season.”

Albion are again missing full back Barry Russell, but striker John Gemmell returns after missing the Boxing Day defeat by Brechin City. Rovers boss Paul Martin said: “Airdrie will no doubt be out for revenge and we will need to guard against that.”

Brechin City v Forfar Athletic

Brechin have lost the on-loan Scott Smith, who has returned to Hibs, but his Easter Road team-mate David Crawford could be available on another temporary transfer. Gerry McLachlan and Charlie King are both still out due to injury. Manager JimWeir said: “I have yet to win a derby as manager of Brechin and it would be great to put that right against Forfar.”

Forfar are hopeful of securing Dundee United pair, goalkeeper Marc McCallum and midfielder Dale Hilson on loan prior to kick off, but midfielder Chris Hegarty is suspended. Station Park manager Dick Campbell said: “We need to stop losing bad goals as we cannot fall much further in the table. I am still confident that we have the potential here to go on a run of wins.”

Cowdenbeath v East Fife

Leaders Cowdenbeath welcome back Kenny Adamson after a ban and Craig Winter from a loan at East Stirling but Thomas O’Brien is injured. Manager Colin Cameron said: “East Fife have played well against us twice and they will be out to knock us out of our stride, so we have to make sure we go about things correctly.”

East Fife add new signing, former Hibs defender Darren McCormack, after the 23-year-old agreed a deal until the end of the season. David White, Andrew Cook and Scott Dalziel are still out, but Paul McQuade and Craig Johnstone should be available. Manager John Robertson said: “Cowdenbeath are flying, but we were really unlucky the last time we went there. We were also winning at our place before getting turned over so we will be going out to win this time.”

Dumbarton v Arbroath

Dumbarton are again without injured midfield duo Kevin Nicoll and Martin McNiff. Manager Alan Adamson said: “We have lost 4-3 both times against Arbroath this season in crazy games and feel we are due a bit of luck against them.”

Arbroath hope Josh Falkingham will return after a knock, but Jordan Elfverson is a doubt. Manager Paul Sheerin said: “Our two games have produced 14 goals as we both have really good players going forward but both could do with being tighter at the back.”

Stirling Albion v Stenhousemuir

Albion will give midfielder Craig McLeish until the last minute to overcome a back injury, but Sam Filler and Shaun Dillon are still out. Albion interim manager Greig McDonald said: “Last time we faced Stenhousemuir, we simply failed to turn up.”

Stenhousemuir await news of Brown Ferguson, who has a calf knock. Assistant manager Kevin McGoldrick said: “Hopefully we can bounce back after losing to Cowdenbeath. It will be difficult, as their players will be out to show Greig McDonald what they can do.”