Queen of South vs Dumbarton preview - Burns and McKenna out

Queen of the South will again be without injured midfield duo Paul Burns and Stephen McKenna when they host Dumbarton.

Burns is still struggling with a groin problem and McKenna is ruled out due to a heel injury.

Manager Jim McIntyre is hoping to bounce back from losing on penalties in the Scottish League Cup to Hearts on Wednesday.

He said: "It is a game that we would have won if we had taken our chances. In our last home game with Raith Rovers we were not ruthless enough and it was the same at Tynecastle.

"We need to do better at converting chances against a Dumbarton side that I rate highly. Their manager Ian Murray recruited really well during the summer and they are a more than decent outfit."

The Sons welcome back fit-again midfielders Steven McDougall and Nicky Phinn as they look to get back to winning ways after last Saturday's home defeat by Livingston.

Murray said: "I watched Queen of the South in midweek and they played very well and were unlucky to lose. They may have to freshen their side up due to the game going to extra time and picking up one or two knocks, however they have a strong squad.

"We may have lost to Livingston but our first-half performance was excellent and if we can repeat that for the entire game I will be delighted."