Cowdenbeath vs Alloa Athletic preview - Nicholl targets first win

Midfielder Sammy Stewart is the only injury problem for Cowdenbeath as his side looks for their first win of the season against Alloa this weekend.

Stewart has not featured in the league this season, after suffering a groin injury against Clyde in the Scottish Cup.

Manager Jimmy Nicholl is looking for his team to bounce back: "We lost 2-1 to Livingston last weekend and it was a disappointing performance where we gave away bad goals. We have to get back to the level we played at when we faced Falkirk the week before. If we do that then we can win.

"A lot of attention has been focused on the teams that are expected to be going for the title but this is a really big game for Alloa and ourselves as we both want that first win."

Alloa look for their first point of their Championship campaign and manager Barry Smith will give defender Fraser Marr until the last minute to prove his fitness after being forced off when the Wasps lost 1-0 to Raith Rovers last Saturday.

The Recreation Park side responded to that defeat with a 2-1 Petrofac Training Cup win over Stirling Albion and Smith is looking for his men to get the balance right.

The Alloa boss explained: "Against Raith we played well and lost whereas at Stirling we did not play well but we managed to secure a win. It would be great if we could play well and win at Cowdenbeath."