Queen of South vs Dundee preview - Absentees mither McPherson

Posted Saturday, October 01, 2011 by PA

Queen of the South defender Craig Reid has been ruled out of his side's home fixture with Dundee due to a groin injury.

Manager Gus McPherson will also be without the suspended Kevin Smith and fellow striker Marc McCusker, who is struggling with a groin injury.

Midfielder Scott McLaughlin is rated as having a 50/50 chance of featuring due to an unspecified injury.

McPherson said: "We have a few concerns, but we're back playing at home where we've done well this season.

"It was frustrating losing at Ayr last week, particularly to another late goal, but if we can repeat the form that saw off Hamilton and Morton recently at our place we'll do ok in this one."

Dundee's new signing Craig Dargo must wait for his debut as he lacks match fitness.

The former Inverness Caledonian Thistle and St Mirren forward, 32, joined Dundee for training this week, but is not expected to feature as a trialist.

Leighton McIntosh is available after Scotland Under-19s duty and Graham Bayne gives manager Barry Smith an extra option, but Jake Hyde remains sidelined with a knee injury.

Smith said: "We're sitting at the bottom of the table because we haven't taken our chances.

"Gus McPherson will have Queen of the South well-disciplined, but we can win this game if we show a more clinical side to our game."