Raith Rovers vs St. Mirren - Benedictus back for Raith as they aim for victory over St Mirren

Posted Saturday, March 05, 2016 by PA

Raith Rovers welcome Kyle Benedictus back from suspension when St Mirren visit Stark's Park for their Ladbrokes Scottish Championship clash.

The defender has finished serving a three-game ban and returns in time for the game against the Paisley outfit on Saturday, although David Bates (calf) and Lewis Vaughan (knee) remain out with both Louis Longridge and Mark Stewart rated as doubts.

Raith boss Ray McKinnon had highlighted the match as one his fourth-placed side should be looking to win as they aim to bounce back from defeat to Rangers.

"St Mirren have undoubtedly improved under Alex Rae but we have to view this game as one that we can win," he said.

"If we do that we go 10 points clear of St Mirren which would be a good advantage in such a competitive league. We lost to Rangers in midweek but we worked really hard and if we work as hard again we will not be far away."

St Mirren can call upon a fit-again Sean Kelly to give Rae has a full squad to choose from and he is looking for his players to show a more ruthless side to their game.

"We played out a goalless draw with a good Falkirk side in midweek. However it could have been even better for us as we created good chances but were not clinical enough to take them," he said.

"Raith are a good side but I would not say we are looking to beat them to start a play-off push. We are very respectful of the teams beneath us so we need points for a couple of reasons."