‘We’re in play-off mini-league’

● As Queens face United, Naysmith says there’s plenty still to fight for

Queen of the South manager Gary Naysmith has delayed picking his team to face Dundee United until this afternoon after Saturday’s gruelling 1-0 win at Dumbarton. He reckons his side are in a mini-league of six, which includes the visitors, fighting for two play-off slots and he will take his time before choosing the line-up he reckons will be the freshest for the game.

Naysmith said: “I have to get the selection right as despite a lot of people talking about United being on a poor run they are a very good side with very good players. They are opponents I respect very much and this game will be a real test of our play-off hopes.

“I reckon that ourselves, United, Morton, Dunfermline, Falkirk and Inverness are all chasing two final play-off places. St Mirren will win the league and Livingstonhavedoneenoughalready to get into the top four, so every game from here is critical.”

Naysmith added: “The Dumbarton game was played on a really, really heavy surface and it took a lot out of the players. We had them in for a recovery session on Sunday and there were a lot of tired legs.”

Morton manager Jim Duffy, left, hopes to a see a Greenock team he recognises at secondplaced Livingston after losing 3-1 at Falkirk. He said: “We are usually very competitive and hard-working but that was not like Morton at all. Thankfully we have no time to wallow as Livingston have had a fantastic season and we need to improve significantly.”

Dunfermline, who have not won in their last seven outings, host Inverness, who have slipped to eighth place.

Pars boss Allan Johnston knows his men need wins after falling five points off the playoff place. He said: “Draws have hurt us throughout the season and we need to start putting together a run of wins.”

Inverness boss John Robertson said: “We need to take points from the teams above us to get closer to the top four.” Dumbarton manager Stephen Aitken feels sorry for his players, who have not scored in the Championship in 2018. He said: “I actually feel for them as they are doing everything but score. They deserve a break and hopefully they will get one against Brechin. A win would give us increased belief that we can catch Inverness.”

Brechin boss Darren Dods is looking for his side to grab the win that would not only break their duck for the season but would give them a glimmer of hope of survival.

The Glebe Park men are 17 points adrift of the Sons, but Dods can still see light at the end of the tunnel. He said: “We know that only one result gives us any chance of catching Dumbarton and even then that chance is only a thin one. A draw or a defeat would come very close to sealing our fate.”