Heriot-Watt boss '˜hopeful' 11 players will turn up for game

Ian Little has plenty to ponder as his squad is wrecked by injuries and absentees

The students will be without a number of first-team regulars for the trip to Fife and Little admits he may have to call on some of the club’s amateur players to make up the numbers.

“My biggest worry going into tomorrow is who I’m going to have available,” Little explained. “I’ve got a lot of players who are away so I’ve not really had a chance to focus on Burntisland if I’m being honest. It’s really about making sure I get enough bodies but I should get 11 hopefully. That’s the problem with university sides as you can’t go out and sign players so you’ve got to work with what you’ve got – but that’s an aspect of the job I have enjoyed so far.”

Little admits this season has been a bit of a learning curve since replacing predecessor Chris Smith last August. The former Berwick Rangers midfielder, who has previous coaching experience with Lowland League outfit Vale of Leithen is, however, targeting a top-half finish.

“We’re sitting seventh so we need to try and stay in the top half to deem this season a success,” he said. “It’s still all new to me at this level but I’ve given the players a target for the remaining games this season. We’re a wee bit behind with it just now so we need to go out and win our next few games. Maybe next year will be a bit different once I get my head around everything.

“Burntisland were in a bit of turmoil when we played them last time at our bit. But it’s a funny league, we’ve been a wee bit up and down ourselves. We’ve always done quite well away from home so I’m hoping to pick up the points tomorrow.”

Elsewhere, sixth-placed Civil Service Strollers welcome Tynecastle to Marine Drive where a win would mean they leapfrog their opponents and Peebles Rovers into fourth on goal difference. Craigroyston are in action at St Mark’s Park where bottom-of-the-table Eyemouth United are the visitors.

Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale will be hoping Saughton Enclosure is deemed playable as they host Spartans and Ormiston are up against Stirling University at Recreation Park.

In the King Cup second round, Leith Athletic will try again after last weekend’s postponement as they travel to take on Duns in the Borders.