Falkirk vs Dumbarton preview - Bairns without trio

Falkirk are again without the injured Kieran Duffie (heel) and Lewis Small (shoulder) as well as Thomas Grant, who is not yet ready to return after illness, when they host Dumbarton.

The Bairns are looking for their first three point haul of the season and Technical Director Alex Smith is not expecting an easy afternoon.

"The league will settle down in the next couple of weeks and we want to move up the way and be in the mix at the top end when it does," he explained.

"To do that we have to win games like this one but we know it will not be easy as Dumbarton gave us trouble in every game last season."

The Sons will miss former St Mirren and Partick Thistle midfielder Hugh Murray due to a calf injury however captain Andy Graham is expected to shake off a knock and play.

Mark McLaughlin is available for the first time this season after coming through a midweek Under-20 game unscathed following injury.

Manager Ian Murray said: "We have done well against Falkirk in the last couple of years however that counts for nothing now. Both sides have changed players and Peter Houston is the third Falkirk manager I have faced.

"We have kept two clean sheets in a row but we will not be getting complacent."