Stranraer will be without Paul Blair due to a wrist injury and Kevin Gaughan who is still recovering from surgery. The Blues have no suspensions to worry about, so the forwards should hopefully give a good account of themselves.

In a report on the BBC, Billy McLaren was quoted as saying: "The teams in this division are very evenly matched and we expect another close one against Stranraer."

McLaren also admits that promotion is unlikely for the Blues now, and that they must make sure that a safety first approach is adopted : "We have to focus on a different priority now. I think promotion has gone so we'll just have to make sure we shut the trap door at the other end."

Manager Paul Smith and had a very successful season last year when he took his newly promoted Third Division "dream team" to within an inch of promotion - in only one season.

However, the first few months of this season proved to be anything but a dream for Berwick. The highest the Borderers have reached in the league is 7th after recording only eight wins this season. Despite their lack of wins they have not been losing to many games either. In fact prior to the last four games (which they lost lost three of them) the last time they lost a league game was October 20th against Cowdenbeath.

A quick look at the current league table shows Berwick are in 8th spot with 33 points to their credit (the same as Stenhousemuir), and only one point ahead of managerless Cowdenbeath.

Who should the Blues watch out for on Saturday:

Martin Neil, 30, is one of the few locals on the team. He had a short spell with Dundee United (at the same time a (Paul Walker) before rejoining Berwick in 1993. He commands the Berwick midfield and was been rewarded with eight goals last season - six in the league and two cup goals. Interestingly, most of Neil's goals last season were scored in the last couple of minutes of play.

Neil missed quite a few of the games last season due to injury, but he has managed to avoid injury this season. He was instrumental in both matches against Rangers in the Scottish Cup. He has only scored twice this season - both against Stranraer!

Marc Anthony, 23, was Berwick Ranger's top scorer two seasons ago with nine goals. He was released by Celtic and signed for the Border's during the summer of 1999. Marc is best played up front or as an attacking midfielder. Definitely a player to watch out for. This year he has scored five goals - the most recent was against Hamilton last week. His strike partner earlier this season was Paul Ronald, but he now plays alongside Craig Feroz.

Craig Feroz, 24, has played for a variety of teams since being signed by Livingston from Brechin City in 1998. He has been loaned out by Livingston no few than five times, with stints at Stranraer (two games), Ross County (four games), Stirling Albion (28 games and five goals), Queen of the South (8 games, one goal) and now Berwick Rangers. He has scored ten goals so far this season, but only five of these with Berwick Rangers.

Gary Wood has been a great signing by Paul Smith. The 26-year old scored 12 goals in his first 12 games for the club in season 1998-99. His previous teams have included Cowdenbeath and Ross County. Due to a major injury crisis in the defense earlier this season, the hitman found himself playing the role of a defender. With the strengthening of the team he will revert back to his old role of striker and hopefully get his name on the score-sheet more often. His last goal was against Hamilton in mid-February.

Injury Worries: Full squad

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Craig Feroz and Martin Glancy the only members of the current teams with connections to Stranraer, but recently three Berwick players had ties to Stranraer; Paul Ronald, Derek Rae, Kenny Brannigan and Grant McMartin.

Someone who would have needed very little introduction to Stranraer fans was striker Paul Ronald. Paul, 30, was Stranraer's top scorer two seasons ago with 12 goals to his credit. His previous clubs included East Fife and and East Stirlingshire. He only scored only 6 goals last season for Berwick, and failed to find the net this season. He now plays for Airdrie.

Another player who has links between the two clubs is Derek Rae. The midfielder never really broke into the Stranraer team and was freed by the Blues at the end of last season. He was signed on loan recently by Elgin City. Grant McMartin was freed by Rangers at the end of last season. He is no longer playing senior football.

Kenny Brannigan also played for Berwick for three months of the season, but has now moved on to Stirling Albion. Brannigan was captain of the Stranraer team who won promotion in season 1993-94 under Alex McAnespie.