Alloa boss Barry Smith will be without a number of first team stars for the visit of local rivals Falkirk to Recreation Park this weekend.

The two sides have yet to score a goal against each other as they have shared two 0-0 draws so far this season and something has got to give when they clash on Saturday.

A win for Alloa could seem them climb as high a place into 7th in the SPFL Championship table and further away from the relegation playoff spot while a win for the Bairns would keep their slim title hopes alive.

The Wasps go into the game looking to end their poor run of seven straight defeats at home in all competitions and the manager is hopeful his side can build on the positives from last week despite being without a few key players for upcoming derby match.

Smith told Advertiser Sport, " Obviously, with it being a derby match there are bragging rights that come with the win but it shouldn't matter because my players are up for any game no matter the opposition. We just look after ourselves and it is important for us to give a good performance for our fans as we did for long spells of last week's game. Now we just need to try to turn they performances into a result.

"Graeme Holmes is a major doubt for tomorrow as he hasn't fully recovered yet from the injury that forced him off last week. So I don't see the point in risking him at this stage in the season when the games are coming thick and fast. As a player that is what you like at this time of the season - to be playing games - so three games in a week doesn't bother us. Liam Lindsay comes back into contention as do Liam Caddis and Willie Robertson but the game will come too soon for Jason Marr and Derek Riordan. Derek is getting closer to full fitness again and we hope to have him back in next week or two while Jason will resume training next week. James Creaney remains absent also. The squad is important for us. Everyone has an important part to play in the run in now coming to the end of the season so it vital that we stick together, work hard and I'm sure we will get the results."