Dumbarton V Raith at Strathclyde Homes Stadium : Match Preview

21 December 2012 15:01
Dumbarton V Raith - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Sons get Nicol boost

Bottom-of-the-table Dumbarton will have Kevin Nicol in their squad for the visit of Raith.

Nicol is set to be involved for the first time this season after recovering from groin surgery.

Recently-appointed player/manager Ian Murray will wait on the results of fitness tests for Martin McNiff and James Creaney before finalising his side, however he misses out himself due to a groin injury.

Goalkeeper Stephen Grindlay is suspended and striker Pat Walker is absent with a long-running ankle problem.

Ahead of the game, Murray said: "Raith have good players but from what I have heard Dumbarton's performance at their place earlier in the season was one of their best so we have nothing to fear.

"We need to have the second-half performance that we had against Hamilton on Monday night and not the first-half one."

Raith welcome back midfielder Simon Mensing for the trip.

Mensing has overcome the hamstring injury that kept him out of the Kirkcaldy's club's last two games.

Despite the Sons' lowly position, Rovers manager Grant Murray is wary of the hosts.

He said: "Dumbarton played really well at our place earlier in the season so we will not take anything for granted.

"I watched them play against Hamilton in the cup on Monday and they gave a really good and spirited second-half performance so we need to be ready for that.

"We played really well at Partick Thistle last Saturday and were unlucky to lose. We will need another performance of that level to take anything home with us from this game."

Source: PA