Allan Johnston wants his Queen of the South side to increase the gap between themselves and the bottom of the table this week.
The Doonhamers travel to face Alloa Athletic and a win would see the South move nine points clear from the foot of the division. However, the Wasps are a bit of a bogey side with the Dumfries men winning just three of the last 11 meetings between the two.
Allan said: “Alloa are one of those teams that are hard to beat and they’ve got dangerous players like Alan Trouten and Innes Cameron so we know it will be a difficult game.
“We’re all looking forward to the game and our aim is to build a gap between ourselves and Alloa at the bottom and try and close that gap on the clubs above us in the table.”
The injury situation has improved slightly ahead of the match with centre-back Gregor Buchanan now fit to return to the squad. However, two more key players are still a while away from a return.
The manager also provided an update on striker Connor Shields who is a wanted man for a number of clubs as Queens seek to extend his contract.
Johnston said: “Gregor Buchanan is fit and in the squad but Joe McKee and Stephen Dobbie are still probably a couple of weeks away.
“So not having a game isn’t ideal but it gives the new guys time to bed in too and a chance for niggles to clear up a bit. There’s been no news on Connor this week. He’s doing well so he was always going to attract interest.
“He’s unplayable just now and he needs to keep focusing on his game and hopefully the contract situation will sort itself out soon.”
Queens will be hoping to avoid a repeat of last week where they were left without a game after Inverness Caley’s pitch was frozen. The rearranged fixture will now take place on Wednesday, February 17 at 6.30pm.
Johnston added: “We knew there was going to be a pitch inspection but we were travelling on the day.
“The Dumfries boys had already left because we were meeting at Cumbernauld at 10am but the game was called at 9.15am so we trained. When guys have travelled and prepared all week for the game it’s frustrating. Hopefully we have a game this weekend.”
