Livi desperate to bounce back

Posted Saturday, October 16, 2010 by PA

Livingston look set to be without Jason Talbot and Keaghan Jacobs for the visit of Stenhousemuir.

Manager Gary Bollan, who has enjoyed almost a fully-fit squad since his arrival at the club, will hand a late fitness test to full-back Talbot while midfielder Jacobs is definitely ruled out following hernia surgery.

Bollan is looking for his men to bounce back from their first league defeat of the season a fortnight ago against Ayr, and he feels the international break came at the wrong time for his men.

He said, "My guys were really up for putting things right after the Ayr game as soon as possible. They have been itching to get back into a competitive game since and kick off against Stenhousemuir cannot come quick enough."

Stenhousemuir manager John Coughlin welcomes back goalkeeper Chris McCluskey for the short trip south.

The stopper has been sidelined with an ankle injury but makes a timely return for a game in which Coughlin believes his number one will be busy.

However, the Warriors boss has challenges at the other end of the pitch where he is short of options again with Scott Dalziel, Alex Williams and Simon Lynch all out through illness or injury.

Coughlin said: "We know Livingston start their home games at a really fast pace and we need to be prepared for that. Chris and his defenders will need to be on their toes from the first whistle to allow us to get a foothold in the game."

The Warriors can look to their recent form for inspiration, with Coughlin adding: "We competed really well recently against an Ayr side who defeated Livingston."