Queen of South vs Ayr Utd. preview - Duo miss out for Doonhamers

Table-topping Queen of the South will be without the injured pair of Ian McShane and Kevin Smith as they look to complete a hat-trick of wins over promotion-chasing sides when Ayr visit.

The Doonhamers have seen off Arbroath and Forfar in their last two games to move nine points clear, and manager Allan Johnston is telling his men that they cannot afford to relax against the Honest Men.

Johnston said: "There will be a good crowd here for a derby encounter and Ayr's results have improved a lot since we played them last.

"They have good strikers in Mark Roberts, Michael Moffat and Darian MacKinnon so we will need to play well to keep things progressing as we would like."

Ayr have defender Darren Brownlie back after injury but John Robertson has failed to recover from a knee injury.

The Honest Men, who have won five out of their last seven games are also without the banned Ryan McStay and injured trio Martyn Campbell, Anthony Marenghi and Michael McGowan.

However, kick-off cannot come quick enough for player/manager Mark Roberts, who said: "This game will have a real edge to it as we are going well and they have been great all season but this is not a game to be scared of, this is a game to go and be enjoyed.

"I have players who will rise to the occasion."