Queen of South vs Dunfermline preview - Brannigan scraping barrel

Queen of the South are down to only nine recognised outfield players for the visit of Dunfermline.

Midfielder Stephen McKenna is suspended and Allan Johnstone has joined Daniel Carmichael and Paul Burns on the sidelines due to injury.

Last weekend's hat-trick hero against Morton, David Weatherston, is doubtful with a hamstring problem.

Manager Kenny Brannigan said: "We played really well down at Morton last weekend and David was clinical in his finishing and that was missed against Stirling Albion in midweek.

"If David makes it he'll be playing in his favoured position of through the middle and hopefully he'll grab some more goals in this game."

Dunfermline will be without on-loan St Johnstone defender Kevin Rutkiewicz.

Rutkiewicz sustained an ankle knock in training and joins Andy Dowie and Steven Bell on the sidelines.

Defender Neil McGregor is also a doubt, but he will be given until the last minute to prove his fitness for a game that Dunfermline manager Jim McIntyre expects to see goals in.

McIntyre said: "Both teams have creative players and goalscorers in their ranks, so it should be an exciting contest.

"We lost bad goals in the game there earlier in the season, so we want to put that right. As long as we score at least one more than them I will be happy."