Airdrie United vs Raith Rovers preview - Options for Murray at Airdrie

Posted Saturday, March 23, 2013 by PA

Jack Boyle will be missing from the Airdrie squad against Raith.

Boyle left the bottom-of-the-table club this week to return to his native Jersey due to family reasons.

The Diamonds will also be without the injured Alan Cook (ankle), Jordan Kirkpatrick (knee), Paul Di Giacomo (hamstring), Grant Evans (thigh) and Gavin Griffin (hamstring).

John Boyle comes back into the reckoning after a knock, though.

"We know that we are running out of games to get out of relegation trouble but we will give it a go," said manager Jimmy Boyle ahead of the match.

"In an attacking sense we are doing okay but we are in a bad habit of losing late goals. If we can stop that then we are in with a chance."

Raith will arrive at the Excelsior stadium with a full strength squad.

Player-manager Grant Murray has the likes of Jamie Bain, Liam Watt, Jordan Kirkpatrick and Sean Lynch available should he wish to make any changes from the side that drew 1-1 at home with Dunfermline last weekend.

"This is a huge game for Airdrie as they are in a position that no-one wants to be in," said Murray ahead of the trip.

"We are still looking up, not down but will look for the three points against a team that we know well as we are facing them for the sixth time this season.

"We are going there on the back of a good performance against Dunfermline and we have taken confidence from it after a disappointing performance against Livingston the week before.

"Our intention is to go out and win the game."