SFL Previews: Dundee v Ayr | Ross County v Morton

Dundee v Ayr United

Dundee can move to second spot in the table for the first time since mid-December if they see off visitors Ayr United at Dens Park tonight and they include new signing Mark Fotheringham in their squad for a second time around debut.

The Dark Blues are on an eight-game undefeated run, however five draws in that period have seen them only just hang on to leaders Ross County’s coat-tails.

Manager Barry Smith said: “We have not won at Dens for a couple of months so our aim has to be to put that right and go to second top.”

Despite a 14-point gap to County, Smith is giving nothing up, saying: “We can only look after ourselves and keep picking up wins.”

Kevin McBride will feature after signing following a two-game trial spell, however Nicky Riley and Steven Milne are injury doubts.

Ayr play their seventh game in 24 days tonight and must put the disappointment of Saturday’s Scottish Cup exit to Hibs behind them as they concentrate on First Division survival.

Former Dark Blue Sean Higgins heads a list of four players that continued to be ruled out through injuries with John Robertson, Martyn Campbell and Alan Trouten all missing out as well. Midfielder Andy Geggan looks set to join them after picking up a knock against the Easter Road side.

Ross County v Morton

Ross County, who have now gone 24 games without defeat, can move a whopping 14 points clear of the field in the First Division with a win over Morton at Victoria Park tonight as the Dingwall men use up the last of their games in hand.

After a spell where six games in seven were drawn, Derek Adams’ side have raced away thanks to four successive wins.

Defenders Marc Fitzpatrick and David McNamee continue to be ruled out for County.

Morton’s success rate of only four wins in 19 games has seen the Greenock club slip from top spot in the table down to seventh with talk of being involved in a relegation scrap beginning to emerge.

The Cappielow club are also travelling to a Ross County ground that has brought him little joy in the past with manager Allan Moore saying: “We have made two trips up there to get this game played and they have both been called off.

“The first one involved an overnight stay and the second happened when we were at the ground.”

Morton captain Stuart McCaffrey remains out with a heel injury with Moore likely to make changes to his starting line-up after Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat from Livingston.