Ramsdens Cup First Round previews: South West

Annan Athletic v Livingston

Annan central defender Peter Watson will miss out due to an ankle injury, but summer signing Michael Daly is a definite starter for Harry Cairney’s new-look side after scoring seven times in pre-season

First Division Livingston miss Craig Barr and Jason Talbot through suspension but new recruits Kevin McCann, Anthony Andreu, Jordan Morton and David Luongo are all included.

Berwick Rangers v Queen’s Park

Berwick have received international clearance for Damien Gielty from Luxembourg, but defender Chris Townsley misses out due to family commitments, with Dougie Brydon likely to start in his place. Rangers have also recruited Dean Hoskins, Neil Janczyk, Dene Droudge and John Ferguson.The Spiders will be without Ian Watt, who has a knee injury, and the ill Craig Smith, with defender Jamie Brough and midfielder David Anderson also absent through work commitments. Andrew Robertson and Lawrence Shankland have been promoted from the youth set-up and new signings Adam Monaghan and Michael Keenan are included.

Clyde v Partick Thistle

Clyde’s injured duo John Neil and John Kane miss the tie, which is being held at Alloa’s Recreation Park due to the new artificial pitch being laid at Broadwood. However, Stuart McColm is fit enough to start after an injury scare. Partick’s five summer recruits, Aaron Muirhead, Steven Lawless, Sean Welsh, James Craigen and Hugh Murray will be on-board their team bus.

Firhill manager Jackie McNamara is wary, saying: “Jim Duffy and Chic Charnley will have Clyde fired up to face us and while we have looked good in pre-season we need to show we can do the same now that the competitive stuff is starting.”

Dumbarton v Queen of the South

Dumbarton recruit Ross Forsyth is troubled by a groin problem and will miss out. However, on-loan St Mirren winger Mark Lamont is included along with five other new signings.

Queen of the South’s player/manager Allan Johnston will feature, as will new boys Chris Mitchell, Mark Durnan and Willie Gibson and two unnamed trialists.

East Stirlingshire v Ayr United

East Stirlingshire manager John Coughlin will cross swords with a former player from his St Mirren days when Mark Roberts brings his Ayr side to Ochilview. Coughlinsaid: “Mark is a quality player and if he decides to watch from the sidelines rather than play, I will not be encouraging him to change that.”

Shire striker Paul Quinn has a cracked rib and will miss out.

Ayr will have goalkeeper Ally Brown and defender Darren Brownlie in their ranks after agreeing deals with the duo and Roberts, who will start on the substittutes’ bench, is hoping to include David Winters in their line-up as a trialist.

Hamilton Accies v Airdrie United

Hamilton – last season’s beaten finalists in the Ramsdens Cup – hope to re-sign defender Martin Canning in time for kick-off and Billy Reid’s side have Ali Crawford available for the first time after nearly six months out.

New recruits Kevin Cuthbert, Darian McKinnon and Jon McShane are available, but captain Alex Neil and Kieran Millar both miss out with knocks.

Airdrie United have brought winger Willie McLaren back to the club as well as adding Michael Hart and Marc Warren, although the former Sheffield United defender could miss out due to international clearance being required.

Morton v Albion Rovers

Central defender Kevin Rutkiewicz became Morton’s twelfth new signing when he agreed to join Allan Moore’s side and he is included for the visit of Albion Rovers. Rovers are in talks with former Motherwell striker Steven Howarth and one-time Hibs and Brechin City winger David Crawford. The duo could appear as trialists.

Stranraer v Stenhousemuir

Recently-recruited Stranraer defender Mark Staunton will make his debut as David MacGregor is out with a knee injury.

Stenhousemuir have signed former Stirling Albion winger Darren Smith, but Stewart Kean is a doubt due to a calf strain. New Warriors manager Martyn Corrigan said: “It will be strange coaching and not playing, but it would be great to get off to a winning start.”