The stage is set for a thrilling encounter as Rovers, enjoying the dizzy heights of third position in the First Division after a stunning win at Firhill, welcome an on-form Dunfermline side unbeaten in five games.

To add even more spice to the powderkeg clash, the rival teams trained side by side at Dalgety Bay on Monday afternoon, forced to share the same all-weather pitch due to their respective grass pitches being water-logged.

Dunfermline trained with 21 full-time first team players, while Rovers had just seven – the rest of the squad are either injured, or part-time. Under 19s made up the numbers.

Despite the gulf in resources Rovers boss John McGlynn expects his team to give the Pars another tough match.

"One of the biggest things for our fans about winning promotion last season was getting their derby back against Dunfermline," McGlynn told SportsPress.

"That was seen in the numbers we took to East End Park, and I'm expecting us to fill every seat that's available for Raith Rovers fans on Saturday.

"Both derbies earlier in the season were great games – one went for us, one didn't. They were both cracking games and I expect Saturday to be similar.

"Dunfermline are still lower down the league than they'd want to be, but seem to be picking up better results recently.

"I'm sure they'll be well up for it, but it wouldn't matter if it was Dunfermline, or anyone else, we expect to give every team a hard game at Stark's Park."

Rovers' league position after 12 games has resulted in soaring expectation levels among fans, but McGlynn is trying to keep his players grounded.

"We can't control the fans, but we can control the players to a certain extent," McGlynn said. "We've got 21 points by working extremely hard, and we must continue to do that. We can't take our eye off the ball at all, especially when the game coming up is a derby.

"The day that we stop working will be the day that we start losing games."

Rovers still have injury concerns ahead of the derby. Darren Smith and Robert Sloan are doubtful, while Iain Davidson and Iain Williamson are expected to be out until next year, with the skipper requiring an operation to cure knee ligament damage.

Better news surrounds the fitness of Graham Weir, with the striker expecting to return to training tonight (Thursday), and long term absentee Stephen Simmons.

The midfielder has not played since damaging knee ligaments in the 2-2 draw with Dundee in August but he took part in his first full training session on Monday.

"We're hoping he gets through this week with the view to being on the bench on Saturday," McGlynn explained.

Club officials are expecting the biggest turn-out of the season and have advised supporters to get to the game early to avoid congestion near kick-off, and that parking will be restricted.

The match is pay at the gate.