Airdrie v Raith - Gemmill faces check

Posted Wednesday, April 14, 2010 by PA

Airdrie will assess Scott Gemmill for the visit of beaten Active Nation Scottish Cup semi-finalists Raith.

The striker is doubtful due to an ankle problem, but defender David Nixon will definitely play no part.

Diamonds manager Kenny Black is out to lift the division's bottom club after their 1-0 defeat by Queen of the South on Monday, which left them six points behind ninth-placed Ayr.

Black said: "Monday night's game was not a great one and we played with a bit of nerves which hindered us. We maybe didn't deserve to win but we didn't deserve to lose.

"We need to bounce back and it is good to have a game so quickly so we can rectify things and we will keep fighting."

Raith will hand late fitness tests to a quartet of players.

Dougie Hill, Iain Williamson, Dene Shields and David Armstrong will all be assessed before a decision is made on their availability, meaning manager John McGlynn will have to wait until nearer kick-off before confirming his line-up.

Stephen Simmons will return to league action after suspension, but Mark Campbell, Craig Wilson and Jonny Russell are all unavailable due to injury.

Stark's Park boss McGlynn said: "We have still got eight games to play and we need to get at least six points to ensure we stay in the First Division. Rest and recovery will be crucial through this next two and a half weeks."