Queen of South vs Dundee preview - Brannigan has options

Posted Saturday, May 07, 2011 by PA

Queen of the South host Dundee in their final match of the season with manager Kenny Brannigan's squad in the best shape it has been in for several weeks.

Winger Willie McLaren is banned and Daniel Orsi and Derek Holmes are out injured.

However, Paul Burns and Ryan McGuffie have both recovered from the knocks that kept them out of last weekend's success against Raith.

Brannigan's tenure is expected to end after the match, although he has not heard anything from the Palmerston Park board.

He said: "A win secures fourth place for us and that makes this a massive game for us."

"We have not beaten Dundee all season and they are the only team we have not beaten so it would be good to put that right."

Dundee will be without Leighton McIntosh.

The youngster is missing with a hamstring strain and joins fellow striker Sean Higgins on the sidelines after his operation.

A win would lift the Dark Blues into fourth place and complete a clean sweep of four victories over the Doonhamers.

Manager Barry Smith said: "This season has been an incredible one for Dundee and a massive learning curve for me. We want to end it as high up the league as possible and winning this game helps us do that.

"We will also take a big travelling support down to Queen of the South and it would be good to end the season on a high for them by picking up three points."