Sauchie boss Fraser Duncan is firmly focused on Saturday’s Super League clash with St Andrews and says the game could be crucial as the club continue to battle to avoid the drop.

The manager reckons both his team and their opponents are in the middle of a survival fight, but believes a victory would take the pressure off heading into the final two games of the season.

Duncan told Advertiser Sport: “The focus has been on the league for a while. Saturday is a massive one for us and St Andrews will be feeling the same. They will think they need to take something from us to give themselves a chance of staying in the league, and that makes it a cup final for us. We need to go there and get three points, and if we can do that we can enjoy the last two games. We need a bit of enjoyment because we have not been doing well.

“For me just now, it is all about preparation for next season. First and foremost I needed to keep us in this league, and behind the scenes we are already getting things ready. The only aim I’ve got just now is keeping us in the league.

Duncan admitted that his squad is thin on the ground thanks to injuries, but revealed that key man Ant McTaggart is nearing a return to fitness ahead of Saturday’s encounter after the midfielder was named among the substitutes for Wednesday’s cup clash with Kelty.

The Beechwood Park boss also says he will give youngster Johnny Harrison a run in the team after he made his debut last Saturday against Carnoustie.

He said: “Saturday is a big one for us, and we have got a few tired legs and niggles and knocks that we are having to deal with. Ants just sat on the bench to give us numbers. To be honest I think he has got one of those injuries he will just have to get over. He will be available for Saturday.

“There are another couple of knocks from the Kelty game. We need to look after ourselves from now until the end of the season because we are struggling. David Morrison and Daz Cummings are both out for the season so we are down to the bare bones. Those are huge because they could really have helped us. But we have got young Johnny Harrison who will come in from Tullibody Amateurs. We will give him a run and hopefully he can show what he can do.”

The manager reckons that although his side’s Fife and Lothians Cup campaign came to an end on Wednesday against Kelty, there were plenty of positives to take into the remainder of the league season.

Duncan added: “We worked really hard and did really well against a good side. Our work-rate and attitude was really good. It was a good preparation for Saturday and we need to make sure we do it all again.”