Dougie Imrie says key defender is out for Raith Rovers' vital home clash v Ayr United

Doherty, 25, a mainstay this season having starred in 40 matches, sustained a hamstring injury 36 minutes into Tuesday night’s 2-0 home league defeat by Partick Thistle, when he was replaced by Jai Rowe.

And Imrie told Raith TV post match: “It's his hamstring, so I think it's not looking great.

"So he'll certainly not be available for Friday.”

When asked if playing three days in six days limited his options further in terms of playing a settled team due to the heavy demands of such a busy schedule, Imrie replied: “Of course, but unfortunately, that's the schedule we've been given. And they're professionals, so we need to deal with the schedule that comes around.

"That's just part and parcel football. If you want to play at a top, top level, you need to be ready to go two or three times a week. So there's no excuses for me.

"We'll pick our team again, which will not be an easy game, to go and give the best account of ourselves to pick up three points.

"I want more of the same (as against Partick), apart from putting the ball in the net when we get opportunities.

"I'm not happy that we never won the last game, but I'm happy in terms of performance. We don't ever want to lose games, never, ever.

"But in terms of performance-wise, I thought it was really, really good.”

A win for Raith in tonight’s 7.45pm kick-off will see them leapfrog Ayr and Queen’s Park and go into fifth place.