Raith Rovers boss John McGlynn is set to field 19-year-old rookie keeper Ross Laidlaw once again in Saturday’s crunch game.
First-choice stopper David McGurn had to withdraw from last week’s match against Morton after pulling a muscle lifting weights in training.
Laidlaw was handed his senior debut and kept a clean sheet in the 5-0 demolition of the Greenock side. Now, he is set to take his place between the sticks again for the proverbial six-pointer against Queens.
McGlynn said: ”Davie’s still struggling and we are expecting him to miss out at the weekend. We hope he will be back for next week’s game after some more treatment over the coming days.
”We don’t have any qualms about playing Ross Laidlaw against Queen of the South. He equipped himself very, very well against Morton on Saturday and looked the part.
”He’s confident and he’s given everyone here the belief and assurance that he will go out at Palmerston Park and perform well again.”
The Fifers, who sit ninth in the First Division, could put eight points between themselves and rock-bottom Queens with a win. The trip to Dumfries could also see Raith leapfrog Ayr, who are in Scottish Cup action at home to Hibs.
But striker Brian Graham, who has netted four goals in his last three games, will miss out on the encounter through suspension.