Queen of South vs Raith Rovers preview - Simmons back for Queen's

Posted Saturday, March 10, 2012 by PA

Queen of the South welcome back midfielder Stephen Simmons from a ban for their must-win game against Raith Rovers at Palmerston.

Former Scotland international Allan Johnston is rated as having only a 50-50 chance to play and striking duo Kevin Smith and Marc McCusker remain out with injury.

Manager Gus McPherson said: "We are at the stage where we cannot wait for things to happen to get off the bottom we have to make them happen.

"Raith are the team immediately above us so we have to look upon this as an opportunity to get ourselves closer to them.

"We will go out and be positive as this is a game we simply cannot afford to lose."

Raith Rovers have Brain Graham suspended.

Goalkeeper David McGurn is expected to miss out again due to a shoulder injury, but striker Pat Clarke could feature despite suffering from tonsillitis earlier in the week.

The Kirkcaldy men have won their last two games to open up a five-point gap on their hosts at the foot of the table and manager John McGlynn is determined that his men do not stop now.

McGlynn said: "We have not won three games consecutively all season and this would be a great game to do that in.

"Queen's will see this as a must-win game but we want to win it to get closer to the teams above us."