Queen of South vs Falkirk preview - Hutton missing for Doonhamers

Posted Tuesday, March 22, 2011 by PA

Queen of the South will continue to be without David Hutton for the clash with Falkirk.

The goalkeeper remains sidelined with a groin injury, meaning Roddy McKenzie will again deputise between the sticks.

Manager Kenny Brannigan remains short of players, with Rocco Quinn (hamstring) and Stephen McKenna (illness) set to miss out.

Meanwhile, the best Allan Johnston can hope for is a place on the bench.

The Doonhamers won 2-1 at Ross County at the weekend and have targeted a victory over the Bairns to pull level with them on points.

Brannigan said: "We want to finish the season as high up the table as possible and pulling level with Falkirk by the end of this game gives us a good platform to build on."

Falkirk will be without winger Ryan Flynn for the trip.

Despite recovering from injury, defender Mehdi Khalis will also be missing as he is away on international duty with Morocco's Under-23s.

Steven Pressley's side sit 14 points behind leaders Raith, but the manager believes they could still spring a surprise and leapfrog Rovers.

He said: "Queen of the South will be boosted by their win at the weekend but we are still in there with a chance so we well give the game our best shot.

"We played down there earlier in the season and won well; a repeat of that would be fantastic."

The Bairns ran out 5-1 winners last time they travelled to Palmerston Park.