Ayr Utd. vs Raith Rovers preview - Malone banned for basement boys

Ayr will have defender Eddie Malone suspended as they look to move off bottom spot by defeating visitors Raith.

Centre back Martyn Campbell is still not ready to return following knee surgery with everyone else in the Somerset Park squad available to manager Brian Reid for their first game in over 3 weeks.

Reid said: "That break has helped a wee bit as a number of niggling injuries have cleared up and we go into this game in decent shape.

"A downside from not playing is that we have moved to the bottom of the table but we have the chance to put that right by winning against Raith."

"We are not even halfway through the league yet but no-one likes being in tenth place."

Raith manager John McGlynn is hopeful the extra two days rest for Willie Dyer and John Baird will make them available

The duo would have been struggling to make a Christmas Eve kick-off but McGlynn reckons both will be available for Boxing Day.

However, Ross Laidlaw, Scott McBride, Dennis Prychynenko and Brian Graham remain out.

Rovers are looking for their first success in four meetings against the Honest Men this season and McGlynn said: "The extra time should give us Willie and John and we will need as strong a team as possible at a really difficult venue.

"We have increased confidence after beating Partick last Saturday and it is time to redress the balance a bit with Ayr."