Free week will give Rovers' players a rest as Smith targets January return for injured trio

The Kirkcaldy side have no match this weekend with scheduled opponents Hearts taking part in last season’s Scottish Cup final against Celtic and there next match will now be on Boxing Day away to Alloa Athletic.

With four key players out injured assistant gaffer Smith says he is targeting a January return for three of them as they continue their rehab during this free week.

He said: “It breaks up the rhythm and we'd rather have been playing and now we look forward to the game against Alloa on Boxing day.

"Hopefully we get one or two back in the coming weeks from injury. Iain Davidson, Lewis Vaughan, Dave McKay and Jack Smith all out injured.

"We hope to have three out of those four back soon but they will probably still be out till January just when we start hitting a busy period of Saturday and midweek games.

"Lewis has had set back after set back, hopefully that's it this time after his rehab, if we can get him back in January it will be like a massive new signing for us.

"We had that free weekend a while back and the boys got a wee break so they could come back refreshed.

"Hopefully we can do that again and give them a wee break and start building up to the Alloa game which is a massive one for us.”

Meanwhile, Smith is expecting a tough match when they do return to action on Boxing Day.

"Alloa beat Hearts two weeks ago, that tells you everything.

“They beat the league favourites at home, it's a wee bit away just now and we've time to work on things and we are looking forward to it.”