Championship featured game

Fourth-placed Queen of the South entertain a Hibernian side who sit one place above them in the Championship table.

Palmerston player/manager James Fowler said: “We have done well against Hibs this season as we have beaten them at home and then drew at Easter Road. This is another great game to be involved in but I am conscious that their performances and results have picked up in recent weeks.

“Hibs have found a formation and a settled starting line-up that makes them very strong. They played well against Hearts in the New Year game and were unlucky not to win against Falkirk in a game that I watched where they were 3-1 ahead a couple of weeks ago.

“Last weekend they had a good 5-0 victory over Cowdenbeath so they will be full of confidence but we have had a good season and can go into the game with nothing to fear.”

Fowler’s side kept hold of a play-off place by drawing 1-1 at Falkirk last weekend in a game where they conceded two penalties and had Mark Durnan dismissed.

Fowler said: “It was important to get that point as it ensured that we stayed ahead of Falkirk. We went there with every intention of winning the game and opening up a bigger gap but after going behind it was important to hit back and get a point.

“It keeps them behind us and Falkirk have Hearts this weekend so the two of us have equally hard games and hopefully we can get a better result than they do. A third game unbeaten against Hibs would be acceptable however a win and a move level on points sounds better.

“We didn’t appeal Mark’s sending off as his reaction to the ball striking his hand was to try and move his hand out of the way and when he did that he touched it again. That could have been viewed as an offence.”

Fowler will decide on the goalkeeping position on Saturday as he explained: “Jim Atkinson came in and did really well last week however Zander Clark has had almost a full week’s training behind him now after an injury. We have a Scottish Cup tie coming up against St Johnstone and I need to be mindful that Zander cannot play in that game so I have a few factors to look at.

“Paul Burns got 90 minutes in an U20 game in midweek, Chris Mitchell got 80 minutes and Stephen McKenna got a half so that is progress after their injuries. The first two players could be involved this weekend which is good news.”

Craig Stewart