We’ll miss the Raith Rovers fans at the Fife derby says Smith

It’s first versus third at Stark’s Park on Saturday as Championship leaders Dunfermline make the short trip to Kirkcaldy for the first league meeting between the two sides since 2017.

Smith says he will be taking his team into the match full of confidence but says the supporters of both sides will be a huge miss.

"Derby games are always great,” he said. “It's just a massive disappointment for both sets of fans that they won't be able to see the game.

“Both teams are going really well. Dunfermline are sitting top of the league. We've both had a great start to the season and are scoring goals.

“There's a lot of attacking flair in both teams, so it's a shame that we won't have the fans in to watch.”

He added: “We can go above Dunfermline, so that's a massive incentive for us.

“They're obviously unbeaten in the league too, so we want to be the first team to go out there and beat them.”

Rovers go into the match with no injury concerns, bar Lewis Vaughan, whose hamstring operation last Friday “went to plan”, according to Smith.

He added that one player close to finally making his competitive debut for the team is ex-Pars striker Gozie Ugwu.

“He’s has had another week's training under his belt, so hopefully he'll be pushing to get his first start in the team,” he said.

“He could well play a part on Saturday, you never know.”