Coaches muster charges for Challenge Cup push

CLYDE v ROSS COUNTY
TOMORROW'S quarter-final between these sides will be a repeat of the Challenge Cup Final of two years ago, when the Dingwall men came out on top after a penalty shoot-out. Clyde go into this one on the back of a fine 3-2 win at St Johnstone and having hit back from two down at half time to draw with County only three weeks ago.

Clyde's on loan duo from Rangers Paul Emslie and Alan Lowing are expected to make home debuts and midfielder Alan Trouten has fully recovered from a series of migraines.

County will be without David Winters although Richie Hart has recovered from a knock sustained at Palmerston with Michael Gardyne rated at 50/50 to play.

COWDENBEATH V AIRDRIE UTD

COWDENBEATH have three of their four new signings available for this one with only Jay Stein absent as a result of being cup-tied from his Montrose days. On-loan signing John Armstrong from Hearts returns to Central Park for a second time and should make his debut. Greg Ross has joined from Dunfermline also on loan, as has Rangers youth goalkeeper Scott Gallacher.

Airdrie United go into this one on the back of fine victories at Hearts in the Co-operative Insurance Cup and a 5-0 home win over Morton.

LIVINGSTON v PARTICK

STRIKER Leigh Griffiths, with nine goals so far this season, is a major doubt for Livingston boss Roberto Landi because of a knee injury so on-loan Hearts striker Calum Elliot may get a starting place instead.

In the 12 years that Partick Thistle have competed in the Challenge Cup they have yet to make it beyond the quarter-finals and boss Ian McCall may be without seven players tomorrow.

Simon Donnelly is a doubt and the Jags have also lost Jonny Tuffey and Steven Lennon to international duty. The long-term injured trio of Stephen McKeown, Liam Buchanan and Alan Archibald are still out and John Robertson is out after his red card against Ross County last week.

QoS v MORTON

QUEEN of the South manager Gordon Chisholm will be keen to see his side qualify for another big cup game after their run to the Scottish Cup final last season and their two games in Europe last month – but he will be wary of a backlash from the Greenock men after their 5-0 thrashing Airdrie United last week. Striker Sean O'Connor is a doubt but is boosted by David Weatherston who is not cup-tied after starting the season at St Johnstone.

Davie Irons' Morton side will be without the suspended Allan McManus and the injured Stewart Greacen, however, goalkeeper Kevin Cuthbert, defenders Dominic Shimmin and Alex Walker along with midfielder Kevin Finlayson should all be available.