East Fife vs Ayr United preview - Five out for Fifers

Posted Saturday, March 15, 2014 by PA

Jonny Stewart comes back into the reckoning for East Fife but manager Gary Naysmith will be without five other players against Ayr United.

Stewart is available again after suspension but Gary Fisher (elbow), David Cowan (hamstring), Joe Mbu (knee) Scott McBride (hip) and Ross Brown (ankle) are all absent for the Fifers, who have not won in seven games.

Naysmith said: "Ayr will be difficult opponents but we are responsible for what happens now. We have slipped down the table and the only people that will get us moving up the way are the people here.

"Ayr will be flying after putting five past Stranraer but if we play like we did against Rangers recently then we can do well."

The Honest Men have Scott McLaughlin available after injury while Kevin Kyle also returns from a one-match ban.

However, Kyle McAusland and Craig Malcolm are missing for the visitors through suspension.

Ayr player/manager Mark Roberts is asking his men to deliver to a high standard again.

He said: "We were terrific in the 5-0 win over Stranraer and all I can ask for is the same again. From positions three to 10 in this league everyone is fighting for something so we have to play well consistently to keep our play-off place.

"East Fife have tremendous experience in their ranks so we cannot just turn up there and expect the win."