Queen of South vs Dumbarto - Queen of the South boss James Fowler calls for home form improvement

Queen of the South manager James Fowler wants to turn Palmerston Park into a fortress once again - starting against Dumbarton on Saturday.

The Doonhammers have lost five times in all competitions at home this season and Fowler wants his side, currently fifth in the Ladbrokes Championship standings, to improve in front of their fans.

And the Sons boss is hoping to use August's away victory against Stephen Aitken's side as motivation in their quest to move into the play-off spots.

Kyle Jacobs is included in the squad to face Dumbarton, but Fowler will be without the services of Andy Dowie (hamstring), Dale Hilson (foot) and Callum Tapping (knee).

Fowler said: "We defeated Dumbarton 2-0 at their place earlier in the season and it was our best display.

"A repeat of that performance would be great and go a long way to making teams wary of coming to Dumfries again. We have not done well enough there this season and want to change that.

Ninth-placed Dumbarton are searching for their first win in four games but will be without knee injury victims Frazer Wright and Scott Taggart, while Kevin Cawley and Steven Craig are laid low by ankle problems.

Aitken said: "We were disappointed at losing to Morton last weekend as we deserved a draw at least however we need to move on from that.

"Queen of the South are a good side who won last weekend and will be looking to embark on a run that will move them towards the play-offs.

"However we need a win to kick-start our season and we will look to win in Dumfries."