Arbroath boss Dick Campbell has a big selection puzzle to solve as his side emerge from a mini-winter break.
The Red Lichties have been left kicking their heels over the last fortnight after their games against Albion Rovers and Alloa both fell victim to the icy blast that swept the country recently.
Thankfully, it should be a positively balmy 11 degrees at Gayfield today and with a bumper festive crowd expected, Campbell is looking for his side to return to action against second-top Raith Rovers and give the club’s fans an early Christmas present in the form of a victory and three points.
The manager said: “The last couple of weeks have been frustrating to say the least.
“On the plus side, the break has allowed us time for most of the injured lads like Gavin Swankie and Scott Martin, Danny Denholm and Colin Hamilton to return to fitness.
“We still have Josh Skelly and Steven Doris who has had his cruciate operation out long term but the squad is back to near full strength.
“So I have a few selection headaches but my big worry is that we have not managed to do a great deal of work during the lay-off because of the weather.
“We are also looking at having to play the postponed games probably in midweek which is never ideal for part-time teams.
“However, that is something for the future and at the moment all I am concerned about is this weekend’s game and picking up three points.
“As the full-time side, Raith will be favourites especially as they have already beaten us this season.
“However, our hospitality is sold out for the game and there should be a big crowd at Gayfield to hopefully see us take all three points.”
Meanwhile, Raith boss Barry Smith insists he wants his players to repeat what they achieved against Arbroath earlier in the season and snuff out the attacking threat the Red Lichties possess.
Rovers ended the Angus side’s long unbeaten away record when the teams met at Stark’s Park back in October, keeping a clean sheet while netting twice themselves through Lewis Vaughan and Jason Thomson.
Now, Smith is looking for more of the same with his side eight points behind league leaders Ayr, although they have two games in hand following the postponement of last Saturday’s game against Albion Rovers because of a frozen pitch.
Smith said: “It was frustrating last week with the game being called off.
“The pitch was actually fine but the touchlines were the problem. If we had been able to leave it for another hour, the game probably would have gone ahead but it wasn’t to be.
“We just have to deal with it and move on with the boys raring to go again against Arbroath. That is our full focus.
“They possess a lot of attacking threats in their team but we handled that the last time we played them at Stark’s Park and we will look to do so again.
“We have a great defensive record this season but are also dangerous in attack.
“So we will go to Gayfield determined to play the way we are capable of.
“Arbroath are a good team but we just have to make sure we do what we need to beat them.
“Our focus is just on ourselves and what we need to do to keep winning games.”
Raith will be without the injured Kyle Benedictus, John Herron and Kevin McHattie.
