Peterhead have opted against asking for their game against Airdrie to be postponed today due to an injury and suspension crisis.
The Blue Toon are without four players due to suspension as the effects of their 3-0 loss at Dunfermline last month continue to hit the club.
Steven Noble, Jamie Redman and Jordon Brown will all serve the second game of their two-match bans following red cards at East End Park and they have been joined in sitting the game out by attacker Andy Rodgers, who has been cited and suspended by the SFA for making comments on social media following the game.
With several other players also injured or doubtful manager Jim McInally considered asking for a postponement but has decided to play the match even if it means he will be unable to fill the substitutes’ bench.
He said: “We did approach the SPFL asking about putting the game off, but we still have to clear the dismissals hanging over the players and really we would only be delaying the issue for another week if we did that.
“We will play the game and it will likely be the team which finished the match against Ayr United two weeks ago, but I don’t know who will be on the bench.
“Ryan McCann hurt his knee against Ayr and will miss a couple of weeks while Fraser McLaren is out with a hamstring strain and Nicky Riley is struggling after playing the full 90 minutes against Ayr in his first match since July.
“Dean Cowie had his knee operation on Wednesday and will be out for a couple of months while Bryan Gilfillan also has a hamstring injury.
“Add in Graeme Sharp leaving us for a new job abroad and we’re really struggling but we will just have to get on with it – in all my years as a manager I’ve never known a situation like it.”
McInally is confident his starting 11 can cause the Diamonds trouble today.
He said: “Ryan Strachan did terrifically well in front of the back three in the last game and we played really well from start to finish against Ayr.
“Graeme Smith didn’t have a save to make which was testament to the players in front of him. I’m quite happy with the team we have and we produced our most convincing performance of the season. We passed the ball really well and I’m looking for more of that.”