ARBROATH will be looking to consolidate their position in the top four this afternoon when they welcome league leaders Berwick Rangers to Gayfield for what has all the makings of the third division match of the day.

Lichties manager John McGlashan said, “Every game we play now is massive and, while I’m sure the fans will regard having a crack at the league leaders as something special, the players will approach it in exactly the same way as if they were facing East Stirling.

“The way the third division is panning out at the moment, if you win a few games on the trot you are right up among the top teams, but if you lose a few you find yourselves right back down again.

“We have had that ourselves when just two defeats saw us down in seventh place and then a couple of wins lifted us back into the top four again, so no team can afford to allow themselves to get complacent.

“It’s got to the stage where I’ve genuinely stopped bothering about league positions because, if we carry on getting the results we need, we won’t have to worry about the other teams.

“Berwick Rangers have enjoyed a good run recently and, although they have beaten us twice in the league and once in the cup this season, I don’t think they are vastly superior to us and maybe just shaded it each time.

“Last season the difference in class between the top teams and the rest was pretty big, but this time there's very little in it.

“It is, after all, Berwick Rangers and not Glasgow Rangers we’re playing and, with no injuries or suspensions to worry about, I’ve got a full squad to pick from.”

Berwick are struggling with injuries and manager John Coughlin revealed yesterday, “I have eight players out and at the last count had only 14 available. That means I will have to add some of our youth players and I am also trying to bring in a trialist.”

Among those out are the suspended David Greenhill and Kevin Haynes and the injured Grant McNicholl, Gary Greenhill, Jordan Smith and Danny Swanson.

Jim Weir is two weeks into his post as manager of MONTROSE and fully aware of the task ahead.

He is still looking for a win, still assessing his players and sees defensive frailty as the first problem to be tackled.

“The league doesn’t lie and they have got to stop losing goals the way they have been,” said Weir.

“The place needs a lift,” said the new boss, who is considering bringing in players on short-term loan to bring some immediate freshness to a dispirited squad.

It is unlikely any will be in the frame for the trip to Stenhousemuir today for which there will be late fitness tests for Barry Donnachie and Hugh Davidson. Keith Gibson is back from injury and should be in the line-up.

The last time Montrose were at Ochilview they were thumped 5-0 but kept it tighter at Links Park when they lost by the only goal of the game.

Stenhousemuir still have a chance of reaching the play-offs which are well beyond Montrose who are looking to climb away from the bottom of the league and give an indicator of progress for next season.

Stenhousemuir are without Gordon Connolly and Robbie Henderson and wait for Brian McLaughlin who has a 50-50 chance.