Dunfermline vs Stranraer preview - Pars and Blues set for crunch clash

Striker Lawrence Shankland looks set to start for Dunfermline against in-form visitors Stranraer after joining on loan from Aberdeen until the end of the season.

Skipper Josh Falkingham returns after a hand injury and Ross Millen is available following a heel problem, however Callum Morris remains out with a groin injury and Alex Whittle is a doubt.

Ahead of the clash between the two play-off hopefuls, manager Jim Jefferies said: "Stranraer have been on a great run and this will be a tough game but we can win it if we play like we can.

"If we win this game we put a bit of daylight between us in terms of second place."

Stranraer head to the only team who have beaten them twice this season with concerns over top goalscorer Jamie Longworth, who missed training due to flu-like symptoms.

The third-placed Blues are already without Marc Corcoran (hip) and Chris Aitken (ankle) as they look to stretch their unbeaten run to 12 games.

Manager Stephen Aitken said: "It would be great to get a good result against Dunfermline after losing to them twice.

"We have been leading in both our games against them but not seen things through and hopefully we can do that but we realise it is a very tough game."