[milners]

Team news from highland league.net

We have six teams ready to open their gates for the first time in 2006 and six sets of first footers ready to step across the threshold but whether or not they will be swapping coal for points remains to be seen.

Table toppers Deveronvale will make the short trip to Keith with only Ross Bremner missing as they look to extend their five game winning run. Midfielder Paul Urquhart is a doubt due to a virus. The Maroons will be without the suspended Kris Niddrie who is set to be replaced by Derek Nicol who comes back from a ban. Alan Fraser is also set to return.

Forres Mechanics continue to climb the table and with games in hand they could still go top. However they won't have it easy this weekend as Cove Rangers travel to Mosset Park well rested after a lack of games in recent weeks. Suspended duo Scott Fraser and Gary Clark are the only absentees.

Steve Mackay will miss this one having been red carded in the win at Wick last weekend and Andy Matheson continues to be a doubt. Michael Morrison could return to the squad having served his club suspension.

Nairn County's Steven Edwards will finally return having served his 8 match suspension as the Station Park side travel to Brora but given his team mates record of 7 wins in 8 during his ban he may have to wait a little longer to see some playing time. Brora will be without defender Gordon Mackenzie but should have Shane Sutherland and Mark Kennedy back in the starting line up.

Having suffered at the hands of Nairn and Forres last week both Clach and Wick will be hoping for a Happy New Year when they clash in Inverness. The Lilywhites will be without Jed Douglas and will check on the fitness of Andrew Neill and Steve Macdonald. However both Gary Ross and Neil MacCuish are available for selection. Wick will once again miss skipper Martin Gunn who is suspended and top scorer Jamie Mackenzie.

Lossiemouth caused one of the upsets of the season so far by trouncing Fraserburgh 4-2 at the Bellslea on Christmas Eve and with three wins out of three against Rothes this season they will go into this one on a high. The Coasters could make one further addition to the trialist bolstered squad that made the trip to the Broch, as well as welcoming back Joe Lasley, but it seems Graeme Kennedy and Neil Garret have simply gone AWOL. Rothes will be without Mark Adam while Kevin Collins and Jamie Miller are doubts.

Finally Fort William's hopes of turning things around in 2006 will not be boosted by the fact that they face a trip to Inverurie in week one. The Locos will still be without Steven Park, Tommy Wilson and Richie Singer while Kenny Coull is a doubt but with Fort having found it hard to pull together a full squad for the longer trips they will be hoping that everything starts going their way after Hogmanay. Jamie Gannon and Michael Taylor are the only two definite absentees for Rab Mulheron's side.