Dumbarton vs Arbroath preview - Sons aim to upset the odds

Dumbarton will again be without midfield duo Kevin Nicoll and Martin McNiff when they entertain second-placed Arbroath

Nicoll (groin) and McNiff (foot) miss out as the Sons finally get back to action after more than three weeks of being idle due to the weather, with manager Alan Adamson looking forward to finally seeing on-loan recruit Ally Graham in action.

Adamson said: "It has been a frustrating period for everyone but hopefully we can get going again against Arbroath.

"We have lost 4-3 both times against them this season in crazy games and after having a soft penalty awarded against us in one and a man sent off for very little in the other, we feel we are due a bit of luck."

Arbroath hope influential midfielder Josh Falkingham will return after a one-game injury-enforced absence.

Striker Jordan Elfverson is also facing a late fitness test due to a back injury as the Gayfield men start playing catch-up with leaders Cowdenbeath.

Manager Paul Sheerin said: "With our game against Stirling being abandoned on Boxing Day we lost the opportunity to stick together with Cowdenbeath so we know that we have to win this game to remain firmly on their tails.

"There have been 14 goals in the two games between ourselves and Dumbarton this season as we both have really good players going forward but could do with being tighter at the back.

"We will make a final decision on whether Josh can feature after he has trained over the weekend."