East Fife vs Ayr preview - Injury problems for both sides

Posted Tuesday, March 29, 2011 by PA

East Fife manager John Robertson is hampered by having three players sidelined for the clash with Ayr.

Stevie Campbell, Robert Sloan and Jim Hamilton all look set to be sidelined, leaving Robertson short of options.

Last time the sides met, the Fifers emerged 4-0 winners and Robertson is eyeing a repeat success.

He said: "A repeat of our 4-0 win down there last month would be fantastic, however Ayr will be out for to make up for that one and also to get back to winning ways after a couple of defeats."

That result was in stark contrast to Saturday`s loss to leaders Livingston, with Robertson urging his troops to bounce back.

He added: "We were poor defensively in conceding three goals and they did not need to work hard to score. We will need to improve for this game."

Ayr boss Brian Reid is facing a defensive crisis.

With Dean Keenan out for the remainder of the season and and Eddie Malone suspended, Reid`s problems have been further compounded by Martyn Campbell picking up a knock in Saturday`s clash with Stenhousemuir.

That means Reid may be forced to play Bobby Donnelly despite the former Airdrie man having played only 90 minutes of reserve action since signing last summer.

On-loan Dunfermline winger Paul Willis looks set to miss out with a back problem.

Reid said: "We have lost our last two games, and they are games we should have won as we are playing well but just not taking our chances. Hopefully that will change in this game."