Peterhead manager Jim McInally has a selection headache for this afternoon’s match against leaders Stranraer.
Leading-scorer Rory McAllister misses out through suspension following his red card in last weekend’s 3-1 defeat at Forfar Athletic.
Club captain Steven Noble is also absent because he is best man at his brother’s wedding, while Jamie Stevenson and Dean Cowie are out through injury.
New signing Gary McDonald will make his Peterhead debut at Stair Park but McInally knows his players have their work cut out against the Blues.
Peterhead have lost all three of their matches against Stranraer this season and their most recent visit to the Dumfries and Galloway town ended in a 5-0 thrashing.
McInally said: “We are missing a few important players this weekend and we will have to wait and see how our midfielder Nicky Riley is as he has been complaining of a tight hamstring.
“We just have to get on with it. Gary McDonald coming in this week gives everyone a lift. He gives us a bit of strength and height to our team we have maybe been lacking. I know we have been turned over a couple of times by Stranraer but there were big moments in those games that went against us.
“We know if we go down there and play well we have every chance of winning.”
Former Aberdeen and St Johnstone player McDonald this week signed a deal until the end of the season but McInally says there is a possibility the 32-year-old could remain at Balmoor beyond the end of the campaign.
He added: “He is at a crossroads where he has to decide if he wants to continue playing full-time or take the plunge, look for employment and stay part-time.
“It is similar to Nicky Riley’s situation, hopefully he enjoys his time here and if he does chose to go part-time then we can be in the frame for him.”
Stranraer manager Stephen Aitken is hopeful his side can bounce back from last weekend’s 3-0 Scottish Cup defeat by Dundee United.
He said: “The cup is gone now. We enjoyed our run and it has made the club a lot of money, but our focus is now firmly on the league.
“Peterhead will be a tough game.”