QUEEN'S Park boss Gardner Speirs hopes left-back Barry Douglas is fit to help his side bury their hoodoo against bogey team Stranraer tomorrow.
The Spiders have played the bottom-placed club in the Irn-Bru Second Division three times this season - and have drawn on every occasion.
A win at Stair Park is vital for Queen's as they attempt to escape the relegation play-off zone.
However, Speirs, whose team has drawn against Ayr and Peterhead away from home in their last two matches, is keeping his fingers crossed Douglas is fit.
"Barry was suspended for a couple of weeks and then damaged ligaments in his ankle," said Speirs. "However, he trained a little earlier in the week and we are optimistic he will be fit for Stranraer.
"They have had a lot of problems off the park this season but, throughout it all, their players have stuck together and kept fighting for each other. We haven't beaten them this season.
"However, we know this is a big opportunity for us to pick up three points and move further up the table ourselves.
"We have put in a couple of good, battling performances on the road and I'm confident we can do it."
Speirs has central defenders James Brough, who has completed a suspension, and Steven Reilly, who has returned from a serious knee- ligament injury, available for the trip to play the Blues.
The manager added: "We will have to wait and see how Richie Sinclair is as well. He has been struggling with various injuries but, being the kind of character he is, keeps stepping up to the plate for us."
In the Third Division, Albion Rovers boss Paul Martin has refused to rule out his side forcing their way into the top four, despite losing their last two matches.
Ahead of an away game against Forfar, he said: "The players know our destiny is still in our own hands."
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