Dundee United forward Kevin Smith is expected to sign a short-term emergency loan deal this week, bringing the number of players currently on loan from Tannadice to three.

Smith (22) will join fellow Arab stars Johnny Russell and Greg Cameron in Kirkcaldy, but all three are expected to sit out the Scottish Cup tie with Peterhead to avoid becoming cup-tied.

Smith spent the whole of last season at Stark's Park and finished top scorer in the Second Division before suffering a dislocated ankle during the run-in, ruling him out for six months.

He is only just back to full fitness, and Rovers manager John McGlynn has urged supporters not to expect too much from the returning striker.
"I'm sure the fans will love to have Kevin back, but we can't put pressure on the boy," McGlynn stressed.

"He's only just back from a long-term injury, plus we've moved to a higher level than we were playing at last season. It won't be easy for him.

"Craig Levein is struggling to get Kevin games. He's had a few bounce games and reserve matches — but not very much.

"He'll have a better chance of getting some game time with us up until after the Dunfermline game in January."

In a double boost to their attacking options Rovers also snapped up Spanish forward Xavier Corredera (19) this week.

The striker, recommended to the club by his agent, made a scoring debut for the reserves in an impressive 2-1 win over an experienced Ross County side in Dingwall on Tuesday.

McGlynn added: "He's been training with us for a couple of weeks but the way the rules are we could only play him in the reserves if he was signed.

"It gives us the opportunity to have a proper look at him."

After an impressive 90 minutes as a trialist against Ayr United on Saturday, McGlynn is also weighing up a move for ex-Hibs defender Thierry Gathuessi.

"In normal circumstances the centre-half position is one we're well covered in," he said.

"But Thierry is similar to Grant Murray in that he can be very versatile. In an ideal world, where we have money to spend, he would be a great addition to the squad.

"But it's one that we'll just have to watch this space with and see what develops."

Rovers' latest Scottish Cup campaign begins at home to Peterhead on Saturday — a second round match of vital importance to the club's finances.

The Cup has proved something of a bogey competition for Rovers in recent seasons with dismal early exits at the hands of Alloa, Queen's Park and Dumbarton costing the team any chance of potential money-spinning glamour ties.

Rovers have not been past the third round since 1998, prompting McGlynn to say: "It's something that we need to put right.

"Since I came here all I've been doing is trying to beat poor records of some form.

"When we have all our players available we have a strong squad capable of going on a Scottish Cup run, but at the moment we're struggling to get everyone available.

"We can't ask for any more than to have a home draw, although we know from our time in the Second Division how difficult an opponent Peterhead are."

Rovers are hopeful of having Graham Weir back from injury, while experienced duo Mark Campbell and Grant Murray return after suspension.
McGlynn hinted that he may continue with Stephen Simmons in attack after the midfielder impressed up front against Ayr.

"I've known Stephen since he was 14 years-old and he often played for me in the youth teams at Hearts as a striker," McGlynn said.

"We tried it in training and Stephen gave me exactly what I was looking for so it's certainly given me food for thought.

"Everyone looks for strikers to score goals, but we won't score goals if we don't hold the ball up first and foremost. That's not been happening."