Raith Rovers boss Dougie Imrie's encouraging injury update ahead of Stenhousemuir league opener

Imrie told the Fife Free Press: "It was good to see Paul Hanlon training yesterday and Scott Brown was back on the pitch today.

"Paul might be available for selection for Saturday but Scott will probably make Ayr United (who Raith play in the league at Stark’s Park on August 22) for certain, we just need to build him up now. That was his first day back on the pitch just starting to up his workload.

"And the other three (George Oakley, Lewis Vaughan and Kyle Turner) shouldn’t be too far behind them.”

The match against newly promoted Stenny sees Imrie reunited with his buddy Marvin Bartley, the Ochilview gaffer who previously worked with him when they were both coaches at Livingston together for a spell in 2021.

Stenhousemuir go into the match having qualified unbeaten for the second round of the Premier Sports Cup – beating Forfar Athletic and Brechin City and drawing with Partick Thistle and Livingston before winning penalty shootouts – with a home tie against Motherwell now upcoming on August 15.

Imrie said: "We (Marvin and him) are really good friends off the pitch. We worked well together at Livingston for the time we were there.

"Marvin has done well himself and at Livingston last season.

"He's got his opportunity again at Stenny. I wish him well, but come Saturday at three o'clock, we'll be at each other because we want our teams to do well.

"Marv and Neil (Hastings) are at Stenny this season, two good guys.

"But when we come up against each other, I'll be looking to take all three points.

“I watched Stenhousemuir on Saturday against Livingston. They were very good, well organised, good on and off the ball, so it's not going to be an easy game.

"No game is easy in the championship, every game is difficult. There's good teams, good players in this division and we're all out for the same thing, which is to try and get ourselves to the premier league. It won't be easy, but we'll give it our best shot.”

Raith’s recent form saw them beat Elgin City and Peterhead in the Premier Sports Cup Group H and draw with Kilmarnock and Hamilton Accies before losing penalty shootouts.

Imrie’s team then lost 1-0 at home to Hearts in a friendly last Friday night.

He added: “I’ve been really pleased with pre-season. The boys are looking sharp.

"Certainly on the evidence of Friday night against Hearts, it was a very good performance. We looked fit, we looked energetic.

"And in the league cup the disappointment is we were undefeated and if we had won one of the two penalty shootouts we would have been through as the group winners.

"That’s my only frustration so far. I’m really pleased with the group we’ve assembled. I’m obviously still trying to add if we can and make us stronger.

"You’re always looking to see if you can bring players in that makes the team better.”