Celtic yesterday recalled on-loan Gordon Marshall from St Mirren, leaving Love Street manager Tony Fitzpatrick with a goalkeeping headache for the second consecutive week.
The Paisley manager will not see his dilemma solved until near kick-off time against Stirling Albion, but there is no doubt he finds himself in a far happier position than he was a week ago.
''Our first-team choice Alan Combe - I reckon he is the best young goalkeeper in Britain - had a fitness test this morning on his injured ankle,'' said Fitzpatrick. We are waiting to see if there is any reaction, but we are hopeful he will play.
''In addition, young Derek Scrimgeour made his comeback in the reserve team in midweek after a knee operation.''
Saints could also be more attack minded, for striker Mark Yardley, missing for some weeks, also made his return in midweek and is added to the squad.
However, Paul Fenwick and Gavin Galloway are out with ankle ligament injuries.
Stirling Albion manager Kevin Drinkell, meanwhile, has worries over former Saint Alex Bone, who went over on an ankle, and Gary Carberry, who has bronchitis.
However, Drinkell also points out the problem his side faces all season: ''We have been losing a number of games by the odd goal - and it is that defensive gap that we must seek to close.
''We are in a league where the other clubs are full-time and we are consistently the under-dogs.
''Our opponents have in their past had a period in the top league while we have never had that. Our target is to establish ourselves in this league.''
Bookies' View: Stirling Albion - 6-4, St Mirren - 13-8, draw - 5-2.
Stirling Albion v
St Mirren
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