“Like any team, we want to do well in all competitions and, being at home against a lower-league side, gives us a chance to progress in this cup,” said Coyle.

“We had East Fife watched on Saturday and they were impressive, so we know what to expect tonight.”

Saints have Kevin Rutkiewicz, Steven Anderson and Martin Hardie free of suspension and they’re in the squad tonight.

Derek Young, signed on a month’s deal, looked impressive when he came on in the second half of the league fixture at home to Clyde, and looks likely to start tonight.

“Derek did well and looked a goal threat,” stated the manager.

EAST FIFE manager Dave Baikie admits his side face an uphill struggle as they travel to Perth looking to upset Saints.

“It’s a tall order for us to go to St Johnstone and win, but we’ll go there and work as hard as we have been working in training,” Baikie said.

“We’ll see if we can take something out of the game and it’s fair enough to say that we’re going there as underdogs.

“Maybe that’ll suit us and take the pressure off a bit.”

The Fifers will be unchanged from the side which drew 0-0 with Stenhousemuir on Saturday, as long-term injury casualties Greig McDonald, Paul Hampshire and Gary Kelly, who is still recovering from a bout of pneumonia, are all still missing.

RAITH ROVERS will be looking to repeat last year’s CIS Cup triumph over Airdrie United when the two sides meet again in the first round at Stark’s Park.

Rovers dumped the First Division side out at the same stage of the competition last August, with Eddie Annand and Neil Jablonski netting in a 2-0 victory.

Only six members of that squad are still with the Kirkcaldy club — and the current crop of players will have to improve on their 2-0 opening league defeat at Morton on Saturday if they have any chance of causing an upset.

Manager Gordon Dalziel admitted, “It’s been a difficult opening programme for us, but we need to cut out the unforced errors.”

Armand One and Stephen Manson, who came on as substitutes on Saturday, will be vying for a starting place.

FORFAR ATHLETIC aim to carry their opening league momentum into the cup against Alloa at Station Park.

The Loons are boosted by the new signings of Gary Fraser and Fraser Coyle, both tied up on one-year deals after the weekend triumph over Stranraer.

The Angus outfit also have Gary Lynn and Gavin Beith available again, but are without influential defender Alan Rattray as he nurses an eight-stitch head knock sustained on Saturday.

The Wasps were stung by a thumping from Cowdenbeath at the weekend, but Loons boss George Shaw is warning his side not to read anything into that.

“I’ve watched them and they are a good side,” he said.

“Their manager Allan Maitland has done a great job with them.

“We put in a great performance on Saturday, but it’s history now and we need to go into this game with the right attitude if we are to get a result.”

Brechin City are at home to fellow-Second Division side Morton (KO 7.45).

Charlie King and former Rangers and Dundee United defender Gary Bollan are still sidelined with niggling injuries, but Kevin Byers should be fit to start.

John Ward is also back after serving a one-match suspension at Peterhead on Saturday and he will captain the side in the absence of Steven Ferguson, who will be out for up to eight weeks with a broken leg.

Ferguson was replaced by trialist Richard Walker, who slotted into the side well and struck City’s equaliser.

Walker himself is returning after serious injury last season and City manager Michael O’Neill may take the opportunity to have another look at Walker tonight.

Cowdenbeath are hot favourites to beat East Stirling at Central Park.

The ’Shire had a fine 2-1 home league win over Elgin City on Saturday, but the Blue Brazil battered Alloa 6-1 at home and are unlikely to show many, if any, changes for tonight’s tie.

Despite their super start to the league season, which has seen them go top of the Second Division, Cowden manager Miksu Paatelainen is taking nothing for granted.