THE unblemished Saints of Perth descend the M9 motorway from their

blue heaven that is the new McDiarmid Park to the austere surroundings

of the old house at Broomfield today in what is yet another weekly test

of their credentials to claim premier-division status next season.

Airdrie are never an easy mark either home or away, and in recent

years, as well as regularly shooting themselves in the foot when well

placed for promotion, the Diamonds have been known to be extremely rough

on other aspirants.

Saints, however, have the confidence that goes with winning regularly,

and they have striker Roddy Grant recovered from flu and back in the

squad, while Airdrie's only doubt is Sammy Conn with a calf strain.

A boost for Broomfield manager Jimmy Bone is that the former Stirling

and Hibernian striker, Willie Irvine, has received clearance to play

after his recent move from FK Vidar of Norway.

Partick Thistle manager John Lambie has kept himself unusually distant

from his first-team squad this week because he is suffering from a virus

infection. However, he will be in his usual place in Edinburgh today for

the match against Meadowbank Thistle. He takes a pool of 16 players --

last week's victorious eleven plus Graham Mitchell, Brian Gallagher,

Bobby Law, Willie Maguire, and Gerry McCoy.

Falkirk and Hamilton, two of the teams who were pre-season favourites

to be battling for promotion, have had a dreadful start. They meet at

Brockville and Accies keep the same squad as last week, but make one

change in the starting line-up, while Falkirk will have #100,000 sweeper

Martin Clark -- on loan from Nottingham Forest -- in their team.

Doubtful, though, are forwards Sam McGivern and Peter Hetherston because

of injury.

Clark's dad John will hope that his Clyde squad can take both points

from bottom club Forfar at Firhill, although he will be without the

injured Steve Clarke, and waits to see whether or not Ross McFarlane

will recover in time from his knee injury.

Morton manager Allan McGraw will still be with the services of winger

Gerry Ronald for the home match against an Alloa side who have made a

respectable start following their promotion from the second division.

They welcome back striker Charlie Lytwyn after injury.

Ayr United have plenty of injury worries for their match against

Clydebank at Somerset Park. Tommy Bryce (groin) has not trained all

week, and Ross Scott definitely is out with a foot injury. Henry

Templeton may return, but John Sludden is extremely doubtful.

Clydebank have the same squad as drew at Forfar last week, plus Paul

Harvey.

Raith Rovers field #18,000 signing from St Johnstone, Stuart Sorbie,

for their home clash against an unchanged Albion Rovers.