Livingston vs Dunfermline preview - Watson absent for Dunfermline visit

Livingston will be without defender Paul Watson, who has suffered a groin injury, as they take on beleaguered Dunfermline.

Jesus Garcia Tena will step in as he is now free of suspension, but Marc McNulty is a doubt and international clearance has not been received from Thailand for new player/coach Mark Burchill.

Keaghan Jacobs' knee woes and Ross Docherty's groin injury keep them sidelined, with manager Richie Burke preparing for a tough contest despite the Pars' woes.

Burke said: "We are preparing as if we were facing Celtic as the kids that come in for Dunfermline may see this as an opportunity to shine.

"It is a horrible situation for the people there but we have to be professional."

Dunfermline will piece together a team from the remaining 20 first and youth team players who have been left at the club following a round of redundancies after they entered administration.

Goalkeeper Paul Gallacher and skipper Jordan McMillan, as well as Andy Dowie, Stephen Jordan, Joe Cardle, Andy Barrowman and Andy Kirk, have all been made redundant and have moved on from East End Park, with assistant manager Gerry McCabe preparing the side for the Lions despite being unsure over his future.

McCabe said: "We worked with the remaining players and to be fair the youngsters have responded to the challenge well. We could face a points deduction so winning at Livingston would start to eat into any punishment.

"I am not sure if I will be there to see it, however."