Stranraer vs Brechin City preview - Staunton back to boost Stranraer

Posted Saturday, April 06, 2013 by PA

Stranraer welcome defender Mark Staunton back from suspension as they host Brechin City at Stair Park with only defender David MacGregor ruled out with a knee injury.

The Stair Park side have scrambled their way into eighth place after a slow start to the season and manager Stephen Aitken is determined that they stay there.

Aitken said: "We have a really tough game against Brechin and then go to East Fife on Tuesday. We have our noses in front just now and I want that to be case after these two games."

"We were disappointing last week when we lost to Alloa but we will bounce back. I watched Brechin in midweek when they defeated East Fife 6-0 and they were terrific. We will need to play well to take anything."

Brechin will look to move ever closer to a play-off place with a win and manager Ray McKinnon will finalise his side after a fitness test on Gareth Rodger's injured hamstring.

The Glebe Park side will be without Jonathan Brown and Ewan Moyes who have ankle injuries and Craig Molloy who has a knee problem with Gary Fusco missing through a ban.

McKinnon's side bounced back from two defeats in three days from champions Queen of the South to hammer East Fife and he said: "The boys are flying again and confidence has been fully restored. We will need that confidence as Stranraer are strong at home and fighting for everything.

"It is an important game for them but it is just as important for us."