GREENOCK Wanderers head to the Kingdom of Fife tomorrow where they will play their rescheduled BT National League Second Division fixture against Kirkcaldy.

The game was postponed from its original date on 13 December and from the initial standby date on 3 January owing to the freezing winter conditions, but the sides will finally get it on at Beveridge Park tomorrow as the season reverts back to the more traditional 3pm kick-off times.

The hosts have blown hot and cold this season but have started 2015 in fine fettle with two impressive victories.

On 10 January they easily disposed of relegation-threatened Haddington 52-10 then followed that up last weekend with their best performance in several seasons when they defeated title hopefuls Falkirk 23-22 at Sunnyside.

That victory will give the Fifers a major confidence boost just in time for the Greenock visit and they will clearly look to use last week’s success as a springboard to better things.

Their six wins from 15 matches is a decent return for their efforts so far this season but if they are capable of beating Falkirk on the road then they are certainly capable of rising up the table from their current position in eighth place.

Wanderers will, as always, travel with positive aspiration although once more head coach Graham Knox has to juggle with squad availability and tweak his starting line-up accordingly.

The main news is that prop-forward Mark Rodger has made himself available for selection and old warhorse Donald Stone, who has added some much-needed back bone to the reserve side recently, has been promoted into the top team squad.

Rodger is a strong and experienced prop and he will bring some much needed ballast to the Wanderers scrummage.

Stone is a highly talented flank forward who was part of arguably the finest Greenock back row in the club’s history.

Spectators of a certain vintage will need no reminding of the classic break-away trio of Stone, Jamie Cumming and Dave McVey, who were an integral part of the successful Wanderers’ team from the promotion and championship winning years either side of the millennium.

Stone is still only 35-years-old and has plenty to offer this current team, not least of which is his winning mentality.

Losing in a Wanderers shirt is alien to him and he will bring a fresh confidence, expectation and determination to the dressing room that is a must for all sides to succeed.

For tomorrow’s match the Greenock side look strong, at least on paper.

Rodger and skipper Murray MacDonald will engage the scrum and youngster Michael Duddy, pictured right, will deputise for the unavailable Stu’ Alexander at hooker.

Matt Gray and Ally Abernethy will lock the scrum and Andy Love, Anton Ward and Martin Lavelle will start in the back row, although Stone will certainly get game time at some point during the 80 minutes. The back line shows a consistency of selection but a late fitness test on a hamstring problem will determine whether Kenny Diffenthal plays or not. If the veteran fails the test then Callum Harrison will simply slot into the vacant berth at stand-off alongside scrum-half Andy McDougall with Callum Reid coming off the bench to join Michael Frizzell in central midfield. A fast, elusive and strong tackling back three of Gregor Fletcher, Chris McCarron and Leigh Tyley will be secure in defence but also look to get possession in opposition territory in order to have a tilt at the Kirkcaldy backline.

In the earlier fixture between the sides at Fort Matilda in September Wanderers were edged out 14-10 but that narrow scoreline indicates that there is little between the sides and that a tight, competitive contest is likely tomorrow.

President John McDougall said: “It is a game we can win and we have posted a strong side with attack in mind.

“We are delighted to welcome Mark Rodger and Donald Stone back into the first-team squad and their inclusion will enhance our ball winning potential at the set piece and breakdown.

“If we can achieve parity in terms of possession then, with the players we have in the back line, we will back ourselves to do some damage in the wide areas.” The normal loyal Wanderers travelling support will make their way to Kirkcaldy tomorrow and there is expectation that the locals will put on a show and test their more fancied opponents.

The big game for the Fort Matilda men is actually next week when they host fellow relegation strugglers Haddington — but a positive display and a victory tomorrow would be the perfect fillip ahead of what will almost certainly be a nervous and tense match next Saturday.

First thing’s first though and as has been the norm this term the wise money will go on the hosts for tomorrow’s encounter.

But if the locals can gain a foothold in the match during the early stages and secure a decent supply of possession then they have an excellent chance of going on and taking the spoils.

Wanderers Reserves are attempting to arrange a home fixture for tomorrow. Spectators are asked to check the club website for details.

Wanderers are sponsored by Texas Instruments.