THE road to Hampden starts tonight as the CIS Insurance Cup gets under way, with the all-First Division clash of Dundee and Partick Thistle the pick of 11 first-round ties.
Hosts Dundee strengthened their squad yesterday with the signing of Kilmarnock youngster Robert Campbell on loan for the rest of the season. The 20-year-old striker, who will go straight into the squad, was part of Kilmarnock's youth cup winning team
two years ago but has been pushed down the pecking order because of the emergence of Steven Naismith. Scott Murray continues in goal for broken-rib victim Ludovic Roy and Bobby Mann also misses out. Partick Thistle list an unchanged squad from the one that beat Dundee at Dens in the league on Saturday.
Clyde have added to their squad for tonight's visit to Queen of the South. Striker Gary Arbuckle and midfielder Roddy Hunter return to the club after being released by Graham Roberts, who has been replaced as manager by his assistant Joe Miller after a bitter summer at the Broadwood club.
Hamilton will sign Brian Wake today from Gretna, but the striker will not play against Queen's Park at Hampden because of a groin injury. Wake will be joined on the sidelines by Mark McLaughlin and the suspended Alex Neill, while Queen's Park have defender Steve Reilly available and could give a start to new signing Robert Dunn.
Alloa travel to Forfar without defender Ross Clark, who is on crutches after sustaining a bad injury in the first game of the season, but Brian McColligan returns. Forfar manager George Shaw had signing talks yesterday with Gary Fraser and Fraser Coyle who impressed as trialists on Saturday. Alan Rattray, who suffered a head knock, is doubtful but Gary Lynn and Gavin Beith are added to the squad.
St Johnstone have Kevin Rutkiewicz, Martin Hardie and Steve Anderson available to face East Fife at McDiarmid Park after suspension, while former Dunfermline forward Derek Young is signing a one-month deal to prove his fitness. East Fife will blood on-loan Dundee striker Craig O'Reilly at some stage.
Brechin hope to sign former Alloa striker Richard Walker in time to face Morton at Glebe Park, and add John Ward but have Steve Ferguson doubtful. Morton have Peter Weatherson back after suspension.
Ross County manager Scott Leitch lists the squad which beat Airdrie United to face Stranraer, who add Will Snowdon.
Airdrie manager Sandy Stewart promises changes for the visit to Raith Rovers who add Colin Leiper. Former East Fife striker Joe Savage will make his debut for Albion Rovers at home to Stenhousemuir, but Andy Sim misses out with a knee injury. The visitors welcome back John Paul McBride after suspension.
Dumbarton add striker John Gemmell against Stirling Albion, who are expected to make changes in defence. Ross Forsyth and Stewart Devine are available to manager Allan Moore.
Cowdenbeath are without the banned Innes Ritchie and Gary Fusco and Graham Guy is doubtful with an ankle injury against East Stirling at Central Park.
The full article contains 530 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
