Tannadice defender for Lichties

De fender Jake Davidson will go straight into Arbroath’s squad for the Scottish Cup tie against Falkirk after joining the Lichties on loan.

Davidson, 20, has made the switch from Dundee United until the end of the season.

The Angus club were grateful to the Tangerines for facilitating the deal, saying: “We would like to thank Dundee United for allowing Jake to make the move to Gayfield until the end of the season.”

He has previously had successful loan spells with Spartans, Queen’s Park and, most recently, Waterford in Ireland.

Davidson is rated highly by Tannadice boss Micky Mellon and the player was on the bench for United at Aberdeen last weekend.

He is match fit and ready if required by boss Dick Campbell to start against the Bairns at Gayfield.

It will be the bottom side in the Championship hosting the top side in League One at Gayfield today with Campbell saying: “You could say that our seasons have gone in different directions so far with Falkirk winning more games than we have, and there is only one league place between us, however we want to play the game.

“We have had the covers down all week to ensure that the pitch is playable and it is looking like the odds are in our favour.”

● Forfar host East of Scotland League side Lin lit hg ow Rose, who knocked Brechin City out in the first round, with Loons boss Stuart Malcolm going head to head with Brown Ferguson, who was his assistant at East Kilbride.

Malcolm said: “Brown is a very clever, well-educated guy who is also a really good coach.

“I know that he will have his team set up well and that we are in for a tough afternoon.

“As I would expect from one of Brown’s sides, they have a lot of spirit as they came back twice against Brechin, so we have to be switched on for the 90 minutes.

“We are showing signs of progressing and keeping a clean sheet and getting a point against Montrose last weekend was another step forward.

“We know that progressing in the Scottish Cup would give us a boost for the challenges we face in the league.”

The Loons will have one new face in their ranks with former Livingston, Berwick Rangers and Cowdenbeath defender Hamish Thomson joining them after a spell in Icelandic football at Tindastoll.

Malcolm is also close to bringing in vastly experienced striker Martin Scott following his release from Brechin City, with a move to sign former Cove Rangers captain Eric Watson on ice until the centre-back recovers from an injury.

The Station Park boss said: “We had a bounce game during the week and got a look at some players.”

Steven Anderson, Michael Travis, Darren Whyte and Archie Thomas are again missing but Steven Doris is set to return after a groin problem.