Team news

Rovers and Pars go in search of derby bragging rights Raith Rovers take on arch-rivals Dunfermline in the Fife derby at Stark's Park looking for three points to keep in touch with those at the top of the First Division table.

The Pars have trained with 21 full-time first-team players this week while Rovers have had merely seven - with the rest of the squad either injured or part-time.

Despite the gulf in resources, though, Rovers boss John McGlynn expects his team to provide a tough test.

He said: "One of the biggest things for our fans about winning promotion last season was getting their derby back against Dunfermline. That was seen in the numbers we took to East End Park and I'm expecting us to fill every seat that's available for Raith Rovers fans on Saturday." Darren Smith and Robert Sloan are doubtful for the encounter while Iain Davidson and Iain Williamson are expected to be out until next year, with the skipper requiring an operation to cure knee ligament damage.

Better news surrounds the fitness of Graham Weir, with the striker returning to training on Thursday along with long-term absentee Stephen Simmons who took part in his first full session on Monday.

Dunfermline manager Jim McIntyre will be sending his troops into enemy territory on a Raith Rovers revenge mission as his side look for derby retribution.

The Pars were knocked off the top of the table when Raith snatched a 2-0 victory in August.

And McIntyre said: "These are games you want to be involved in as a player. I loved it playing in derby matches with the atmosphere and the pressure it puts on you, it was always something that I relished.

"There will be a big crowd and there is a lot at stake because we know how much the fans want us to win so they can have bragging rights the next week." McIntyre will be without the services of Joe Cardle for three weeks after he broke a finger in a challenge with Dundee keeper Tony Bullock on Saturday.

Raith vs Dunfermline

Last modified 18:17 07/11/09

Dunfermline earn derby spoils Dunfermline came from behind to take all three points with a 2-1 win over Raith in the Fife derby at Stark's Park.

Although the Pars poured forward in the early stages Rovers grabbed the lead after 23 minutes when Laurie Ellis lofted the ball into the box and Mark Campbell sent a looping header high over the stranded Greg Fleming into the net.

The Pars came close to an equaliser before the break when Graham Bayne headed David Graham's cross goalwards but a wonderful instinctive save from keeper David McGurn denied the striker.

The Pars' pressure paid off in the second half when Willie Gibson delivered the ball in from the right and Bayne bulleted a header home.

With time running down the visitors grabbed victory in the last minute, again from a Gibson cross, with Craig Wilson turning the ball into his own net under pressure.