Marc Fitzpatrick is over his injury problems and can't wait to tackle League One favourites Dunfermline.

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The influential midfielder signed on for a second season at New Broomfield, but missed the start of the campaign with a strained medial ligament.

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It was a frustrating blow, but having returned to the team in the win over Albion Rovers and played 90 minutes against Ayr last weekend, Fitzpatrick is not looking back.

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"I didn't think it was going to keep me out as long as it did, but it proved to be quite stubborn. 

 

"It's feeling good now and I've hopefully put my injury problems behind me."

 

Fitzpatrick captained the side against Ayr United in his first start of the campaign, but the Honest Men took all three points back to Ayrshire.

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"I don't think we deserved to lose the game, we played well enough to win. We created the better chances and ultimately they scored with both shots they had on target. 

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"Saying that though, they'll be delighted coming to ours and getting a win when they didn't play particularly well.

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"We need to learn to win those games that we've dominated."

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The Diamonds have an immediate opportunity to pick themselves up at free-scoring Dunfermline.

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The title favourites haven't had everything their own way, losing to Peterhead and Ayr, but the results they have stacked up have been impressive.

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Fitzpatrick feels that a strong defensive display can be the basis for a positive result.

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"Dunfermline are doing really well and seem to be able to score a lot of goals, but their two defeats show that if we can keep it tight at the back then there will be opportunities to score ourselves. 

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"However we are under no illusions that we are going away to the league favorites and it's bound to be a very tough game."

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Missing the opening games has allowed Marc to observe Airdrie's overall performance, and the midfielder is satisfied that a play-off place is well within the Diamonds' reach.

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"As always this league will be very tight and everyone is capable of winning any game.

 

"We've started reasonably well, and that's been with a few injuries and never really having a settled team. That shows that our squad has a good depth to it. 

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"As a squad we are all striving for at least play-off football this year".

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Striker Taylor Morgan was given the all-clear at Monklands Hospital following a neck injury sustained against Ayr and faces ongoing assessment, as does defender David van Zanten. Jim Lister remains out of contention for the Diamonds, while Kevin McBride and Jordan Morton may return to the squad.

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Dunfermline faced extra-time defeat to Premiership side Dundee United in Tuesday night's League Cup tie, and the Pars have selection headaches in defence.

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Former Diamonds Ben Richards-Everton, Joe Cardle and Ryan Wallace will all be keen to impress in the East End Park showdown, which is refereed by John McKendrick.