Livingston vs Queen of the South preview - Livi hopeful on Sives

Livingston will give defender Craig Sives until close to kick-off against visitors Queen of the South to prove his fitness.

Sives picked up a dead leg in his side's game with Falkirk in midweek and has been struggling since.

Keaghan Jacobs and Mark Burchill will also face late checks, with fit-again captain Simon Mensing standing by for his first appearance of the season.

Knee injuries keep Kevin Walker and Declan Gallagher out while Brad Donaldson remains absent with an ankle problem.

Manager John McGlynn said: "We will take heart from a battling performance that earned us a point at Falkirk. We are now looking to kick on from that by defeating Queen of the South."

Queen of the South look for win number three in a row, however they are missing the injured Chris Mitchell (back), Paul Burns (knee) and Michael Paton (hamstring).

Stephen McKenna is in contention for a starting place after getting further game time in a midweek under-20 development match following six months out with a hip injury.

Player-manager James Fowler said: "Livingston have knocked us out of two cups this season and drew at our place in the league.

"Hopefully we can get the better of them and keep our good run going. I watched Livi at Falkirk in midweek and they are a side that can create chances."