Scott Stewart is impressed by how quickly the new-look Airdrie squad have gelled - and the wing-back expects them to improve further.

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The Diamonds travel to face Stranraer on Saturday, and there have been a number of personnel changes around New Broomfield since the sides met in the Betfred Cup back in July.

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Airdrie's focus is on the league campaign now, and with back-to-back wins over Albion Rovers and Alloa Athletic, Stewart says confidence is high.

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"We're pleased with the results. The boys put in good performances, especially against Alloa - I thought we played really well. And obviously it's great to get a derby win!

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"The place has been buzzing, we're all really positive after the two wins."

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Motherwell loanees Jake Hastie and Luke Watt have joined the club in recent weeks, along with Jordan McGregor and Ryan Tierney from Hamilton.

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Former Airdrie youth star Jordan Allan became the latest new face to check into Ravenscraig this week, and Stewart is pleased with the way the new faces have integrated.

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"As soon as the boys came in they fitted in really well. I think they've shown that in their performances, and we're gradually improving as they gel with the squad."

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Last Saturday saw a break from League One duties for the international weekend, and Stewart feels it had an upside and a downside.

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"It's not something we're really used to as you don't normally get an international break at our level. It's a bit frustrating after two wins - you just want to keep playing.

 

"Having said that it's given us time to rest up and work on some stuff, so hopefully we can keep it going."

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That means a trip to Stair Park on Saturday, the ground where Stewart made his first start for the club some four years ago.

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Scott may have fond memories of that day, but it doesn't make the task in hand any less daunting.

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"It's a difficult place to go. We've experienced that over the last few years, it's not an easy ground to pick up a result.

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"We'll take confidence from the cup victory, but both sides have made changes since then so we'll just take Saturday's game as it comes."

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Airdrie continue to monitor the progress of midfielder Adam Brown, who missed the Alloa match through injury. Captain Marc Fitzpatrick is recovering from knee surgery and is expected to be sidelined until the new year.

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Referee Gavin Ross is in charge of the Stair Park tie.