Stranraer will be without Sandy Hodge (chipped ankle bone) and Kevin Finlayson (recurrent thigh injury).

In a recent interview with Ananova, Billy McLaren, stressed that there was still alot riding on the match, especially the future of the players. A good showing by the team in the last couple of matches could see them with new contracts for next season.

He said: "In an environment in which clubs are cutting back, players must understand that in many cases they are playing for fresh contracts."

Stenhousemuir were tipped for the drop this season by both Ladbrookes and William Hill. Sadly this prediction has come true and the Warriors (and Morton) will likely find themselves playing in the Third Division next season, unless they can perform mircles at Stair Park and their final match against promotion chasing Forfar Athletic.

A quick look at the league tables shows Stenhousemuir are in ninth place with 35 points. Although this is six points behind Cowdenbeath, Berwick Rangers and Stranraer, the Warriors have an appauling goal difference of -23, compared to Stranraer's -4. In effect Stranraer are safe from the drop, but if Stenhousemuir win both of their remaining games with a high goal differential and Berwick lose by a similar high score, it is possible Berwick will be relegated. Berwick's final matches are against Cowdenbeath and Clydebank.

After the departure of manager Jimmy Bone on Monday, by "mutual consent", first-team coach Gordon Buchanan will be in charge for the match at Stranraer. With so much to play for you can expect a cracker of a match from a desperate Stenhousemuir. However, if the Warriors over extend themselves you can expect Stranraer to steal a couple of goals on teh break.

Which players should Stranraer fans keep an eye on? Read on...

Isaac English finished Stenhousemuir's top scorer last season with 18 league goals (the most in league competition), but he failed to find the net in any of the cup games he played it. English's previous clubs have included St. Johnstone (1995-96), Ayr United (1996-1997), Stranraer (1997-98, under Campbell Money), and Partick Thistle (1999-2000), before joining Stenhousemuir in mid-June last season. He has played 50 league games for Stenhousemuir with a total goal tally of 21. This season he has scored 6 goals, the last one in the match against Morton on Saturday.

The much traveled Ian Ferguson (Hamilton, Morton, Ayr United, St. Johnstone, Hearts, Raith Rovers and Forfar) had been a consistent scorer for Forfar Athletic at the start of the last season. But since taking his tally to 5 goals in early October, he went 22 games without scoring a goal. His run was finally broken when he scored Forfar's second goal against the champions Partick Thistle. He finished the season will seven goals to his credit. Ex-manger Brian Fairley signed him during the close season. Ferguson is currently Stenhousemuir's joint top scorer with seven goals.

Another player the Stranraer defense should be on the lookout for is midfielder Graeme Donald. The 6-foot player was signed by Stirling Albion from Hibernian in May 1998. While at Easter Road he played 26 full games (between 1991 and 1998) and came on 17 times as a sub. In that time he also scored 5 goals. Donald played 94 league games for Stirling and scored nine goals. This season he has netted 5 goals, the most recent (like Isaac English) was against Morton.

Martin Mooney was sign from Dumbarton in July 1999, where he had been a striker since 1992. He spent the previous season with Falkirk. Since joining Stenhousemuir, Mooney has played 44 league games and scored nine goals. Last season he only scored a one goal (against Berwick Rangers). This season Mooney has scored three - including one against Stranraer in the Bell Challenge Cup. Injury has kept him out of quite a few matches this season. He last played against Hamilton in mid-March.

Injury Worries: Ian Ferguson is doubtful with a groin strain while Paul Harty has a calf problem but is rated as "an outside chance" of being fit according to Ananova.com.

Current League form: L D L L L

The most recent connection between the two clubs was last season when Alan Blaikie was swapped for Martin McLauchlan. Martin only played a few games for the club and was freed at the end of last season. Queen's Park have since signed up the services of Martin.

Alan faired little better at Stenhousemuir, although he did score two goals in the 11 matches he played for the club. Alan was also freed at the end of last season, and is now playing football for Largs Thistle.

If you know of any other connections, please feel free to e-mail me (sandy@stranraerfc.net) with any submissions.