Peterhead vs Stenhousemuir preview - Cooper boosted by good numbers

Posted Tuesday, March 22, 2011 by PA

Boss Neale Cooper has a full squad at his disposal ahead of Peterhead's bottom-of-the-table clash with Stenhousemuir.

The Balmoor boss looks set to hand Graeme Sharp a starting berth after the winger impressed as a substitute in the weekend's 2-1 loss against Ayr.

Cooper said: "I thought Graeme would struggle as he had missed three weeks training because of working abroad but he looked good. He has that wee creative edge that may prove very useful in a game that will be very tight.

"Our confidence is naturally down after a really disappointing run but we have to go and be positive against Stenhousemuir as this is a really big game for us, indeed it is the game of the season."

Stenhousemuir look set to include midfielder Brian Gilmour in their squad.

The former Clyde, Queen of the South and Lincoln man comes in as Eric Paton is struggling with injury and Iain Thomson is suspended.

Striker Scott Dalziel could start after a brief substitute appearance at the weekend and midfielder Ross Clark is available after injury.

However, Warriors boss David Irons has concerns in defence with Scott Fusco, Scott Gibb and Jordan Smith all struggling.

Irons said: "Brian was with the team on Saturday but there did not seem any point in using one of the three games he is allowed as a trialist in that one.

"This is a massive game and we need to be ready for them to really come at us."