Aberdeen vs St Mirren preview - Smith could start

Posted Saturday, January 15, 2011 by PA

Peterhead include loan-signing Stirling Smith in their squad for the visit of leaders Livingston.

Smith, signed from Aberdeen, should go straight into the starting XI, but defenders Daniel Moore and Bobby Mann are sidelined through injury.

Scott Ross is expected to be given the all clear to play despite being stretchered off against St Mirren last Saturday. However, the best that striker Dennis Wyness can hope for after a hamstring injury is a place on the bench.

Balmoor boss Neale Cooper is relishing the tussle with Livingston.

He said: "We have had two really good games against them this season and hopefully this will be the one where we come out on top.

"We were unlucky to go down 1-0 at their place and in the last game up here their goalkeeper Tony Bullock had a fantastic game."

Leaders Livingston, playing their first game since Boxing Day, could be without three players.

Centre-back Cameron MacDonald and striker Marc McNulty have been ruled out through hamstring and calf injuries respectively, while defender Craig Barr faces a late fitness test.

Livi boss Gary Bollan watched Peterhead against SPL side St Mirren in the Scottish Cup last weekend and was impressed.

"Neale Cooper's side did very well down at Paisley and battled away well for a draw," he said.

"They showed a fair degree of resilience as well and that performance emphasised again to me how difficult a game this will be.

"We have kept the players ticking over training wise but it will be good to get a game."