Jamie Hamill’s squad could be strengthened within a matter of weeks as Sean McIntosh edges closer to fitness.
The full-back had played every minute of Stranraer’s opening eight games but an ankle problem has left him sidelined since the end of August.
Positively, the former Airdrie man is closing in on a return.
He said: “I was running around the pitch before the game against Forfar last weekend.
“That’s the second run since the injury occurred.
“It was good to get back on the pitch and get some running done.
“I should, hopefully, be involved with training or light training this week or next and hope to return to the squad within the next week or two.
“Hopefully, it is not too long.”
The personal trainer felt he was only at “60 or 70 per cent” earlier in the campaign when it came to sprinting or changing direction.
Now, he is hopeful that is behind him and he can once again get back in the team.
McIntosh had made the right back spot his own in the early stages of the campaign after impressing in pre-season.
He said: “I left Brechin and had a couple of teams get in contact, looking for me to come in.
“I made the decision not to rush anything and just see what was what.
“Obviously, the play-off game meant I had only two weeks off and I took a step back to see what my options were.
“I had played with Scott Robertson and Darryl Duffy at Airdrie and they asked if I wanted to come into training.”
Victory tomorrow would see Stranraer close the gap on opponents Annan Athletic to three points.
McIntosh felt the Blues had not got what they deserved from some of their performances so far this season.
He added: “It will definitely turn in terms of getting more consistent results.
“We did go on a good run a few weeks ago and we know we can do it.”
Last meeting
Stranraer 0-3 Annan Athletic
Stranraer’s first home league game of the season ended in disappointment as the Blues lost out to Annan Athletic.
Chris Johnston opened the scoring for the Galabankies after striding forward unchallenged. History repeated itself in the second half when Aidan Smith scored from the edge of the box and Owen Moxon fired home via the underside of the crossbar to wrap up the win.
Josh Walker struck the woodwork for the Blues with a first half free-kick while Dean Hawkshaw also came close with a set piece.
Stranraer: Lyle, Robertson, Burns, Ross, McIntosh, Millar (Langan 53), Gallagher, Woods (Moore 69), Hawkshaw (Rennie 89), Walker (Irving 53), Yates.
Not used: Sonkur and Scullion.
Annan Athletic: G Fleming, Barnes, Lowdon, Douglas, Swinglehurst, Moxon (Birch 77), Wallace (McCartney 88), Docherty (Goss 70), Johnston (K Fleming 77), Smith, Anderson.
Not used: Purdue and Adamson.
Last five meetings
- Stranraer 0 Annan Athletic 3 (Johnston, Smith and Moxon) at Stair Park on August 7, 2021
- Stranraer 2 Annan Athletic 0 (Orr and Paton (Pen)) at Stair Park on January 2, 2021
- Annan Athletic 1 Stranraer 1 (Moxon; Stirling) at Galabank on October 24, 2020
- Annan Athletic 1 Stranraer 1 (Stranraer win 5-4 on penalties) (Moxon; Paton) at Galabank on October 10, 2020
- Annan Athletic 1 Stranraer 2 (Dachnowicz; Nadé and McKeown) at Galabank on July 16, 2016
Last five games
Stranraer
- LOSS v Forfar Athletic (H): 2-3 (Muir and Walker)
- LOSS v Darvel (H): 0-1
- DRAW v Stirling Albion (A): 1-1 (Yates)
- WIN v Albion Rovers (H): 1-0 (Woods)
- LOSS v Kelty Hearts (A): 1-0
Annan Athletic
- WIN v Cowdenbeath (H): 1-0 (Hunter)
- WIN v Jeanfield Swifts (H): 3-1 (Wallace x2 (Pen x1) and Moxon)
- LOSS v Forfar Athletic (A): 2-0
- LOSS v Kelty Hearts (A): 2-1 (Wallace)
- LOSS v Edinburgh City (H): 1-3 (McCartney)
Last time out
Stranraer
Lineup v Forfar Athletic: Scullion, Robertson, Burns, Sonkur, Ross, Brady (Woods 70), Gallagher, Muir, Watson (Smith 70), Walker (Langan 90), Yates (Ngoy 85).
Not used: Ellis, Moore, Irving, Rennie and Baker.
Annan Athletic
Lineup v Cowdenbeath: G Fleming, Steele, Lowdon, Douglas, Swinglehurst, Moxon, Wallace (Docherty 73), Hunter (K Fleming 89), Garrity (Johnston 73), Smith, McCartney.
Not used: Barnes, Birch, Purdue and Adamson.
Photos: Bill McCandlish
