Brechin v Airdrie - Duo back for the Hedgemen

Posted Wednesday, May 05, 2010 by PA

Brechin welcome back defender Paul McLean and striker Rory McAllister for their play-off semi-final first leg tie with Airdrie.

The duo served their one game suspensions by sitting out the 1-1 draw with Stirling Albion, McAllister is the top scorer in Scottish Division Two with 21 goals whilst McLean has been an ever present this season.

However City are still without long term injury victims Anton Kurakins, Willie Dyer, Alex Walker and Neil Janczyk.

Manager Jim Duffy has told his players to go out and enjoy the semi final as they have worked incredibly hard to get there.

Duffy said: "Getting to the play-off stage has been our aim this season and the squad have had to work really hard to get us there. We have been short on numbers for a while because of injury but we will go out and look to get an advantage to take to Airdrie on Saturday for the second leg."

Airdrie goalkeeper Stephen Robertson and midfielder Alan Trouten are both available.

Robertson has recovered from the injury which caused him to miss the 1-0 defeat to Dunfermline where as Trouten is fit again after a hamstring problem, both are included in a fully fit and available Diamonds squad.

Diamonds boss Kenny Black has a perfect record in winning through in the semi-finals of play-offs having progressed three times in the past three years and Black is looking for his men to repeat their semi-final win over Brechin back in 2007.

Black said: "We managed to have a two goal advantage after the first leg at Glebe Park three years ago and I would gladly settle for same again this time out. We have been in good form, however we are the higher league team and the players have to adapt to being seen as favourites."