Stranraer vs Ayr Utd. preview - Aitken absent for Stranraer

Stranraer manager Stephen Aitken will need to do without the midfield talents of his brother Chris against Ayr at Stair Park as he is suspended following his red card against Rangers last weekend.

Everyone else in the Blues squad is available as boss Aitken looks for a positive reaction from his players after Tuesday night's Ramsdens Cup defeat to Annan.

Aitken said: "We lost horrendous goals and cannot afford to defend like that against Ayr. They have recruited well this summer including signing striker Craig Malcolm from us.

"We started the season with two good home wins and it would be nice to get back to that form."

Ayr will be at full-strength for their south west derby match after Adam Hunter was declared fit following illness.

The Honest Men lost to Falkirk after extra-time in midweek and manager Mark Roberts is sure his side will have no problems overcoming that setback for this game.

Roberts said: "We may have been knocked out but there were lots of positives for us. We look a much stronger team this season defensively and long may that continue.

"Stranraer beat us 2-0 at this time last year when we were having a bad run and it would be good to put that right in this game."