VITAL GAME TOMORROW AS TOP SIX BATTLE HOTS UP

It’s a vital game at McDiarmid Park on Saturday as bottom of the league Dunfermline Athletic come to Perth to meet Saints(3pm kick-off).

The Pars have suffered a more or less season-long struggle to avoid being relegated after just one season back in the SPL and will be desperate to take something from the match to keep in touch with main relegation rivals Hibernian.

For Saints, there is a determination to win the game in order to maintain our place in the top six – the battle for which is becoming ever tighter – as just one point from our last nine in the SPL has slightly eroded our position although the ball remains firmly in our court.

The Fife side have former Perth stalwarts Kevin Rutkiewicz and Martin Hardie in their ranks although the defender was injured in Wednesday’s defeat at Celtic Park but either could feature for a Pars side who have already won in Perth earlier in the season.

For Saints, Steven Anderson will be absent again following his knee injury against Hearts in the Scottish Cup but Manager Steve Lomas has midweek recruit Michael Hart to add to his defensive options. Other than that, the same players are available to Lomas as he prepares for the last home match for the best part of a month.

Alan Mannus is now in possession of the goalkeeper’s jersey while January recruits such as James Keatings, Lee Croft and Kudus Oyenuga offer the manager alternatives. Falkirk loan player Jack Compton is currently injured.

Manager Lomas says: “The boys have worked tremendously hard over the course of the season to get where they are and now we have to go again and make the most of the forthcoming games starting against Dunfermline. There’s going to be a bit of a scramble in the weeks ahead but we just have to steady the ship and do what we do best.”

TOMORROW’S GAME:

KICK OFF 3.00pm

ADMISSION Season Tickets are valid and it is cash admission at turnstiles for everyone else. The Dunfermline Athletic support will be located in the north end of the Main Stand at a cost of £21 for adults, £11 for over 65s and £10 for under 18s. For Saints fans, the East and West Stands are available as normal and in addition the Ormond Stand is open for family and adult and child groups – see yesterday’s news item on this website for full details.

REFEREE Brian Colvin

GETTING TO THE GAME There are no known road issues around the stadium. There is parking for both sets of supporters in the car park at the stadium at a cost of £3 per car.

CAN'T GET TO THE GAME? The Saints website will be updated throughout the game. BBC Radio Scotland website carries online audio commentary (UK only) and text commentary. Highlights are available on the BBC Scotland website from 6pm on Sunday.

THIS WEEKEND’S OTHER SPL GAMES: St Mirren v Aberdeen (12.30pm) Celtic v Motherwell Hearts v Dundee United Kilmarnock v Hibs Inverness CT v Rangers (Sunday)

The two clubs meet at Under 19 level as well this weekend with The Pars at home to Saints today (Friday) at 1pm at Stirling University.