THE absence of Scotland’s top all-rounder - Safyaan Sharif - won’t have any bearing on the bid by Glenrothes to derail Arbroath’s quest to surge to Eastern Premiership glory, according to the Fifers’ spokesman Eddie Gibbs.

Arbroath will go a long way to claiming the crown today at Lochlands if they snuff out the challenge of Glens and second-placed Grange slip up against Aberdeenshire.

On paper, the Lichties will be clear favourites to topple Gibbs’ outfit.

However, he stressed: “We got the better of them earlier in the campaign at our place without Safyaan, so we know what we are capable of achieving.

“Vasu Reddy skippered us to an excellent victory that day and our general performance this season has been testament to Saffy, Vasu and the rest of the guys.

“We are delighted with the progress we have made.”

Sharif, who has family commitments, should be back to lead Glens into battle with Grange next weekend.

Gibbs added: “Brendon Ford and Elton Willemse will be making their last home league appearances for Arbroath, so they will be extra-determined to earn success for two such great servants to their club.”

Arbroath skipper Marc Petrie stated: “Elton and Brendon deserve a good send off.

“We will need to get back to our best to deal with a very impressive Glenrothes side and keep our chances of success this year alive.

“Saffy is obviously a fantastic player and we are well aware of the threat he always posesut they have a number of other match winners in their side.

“This is proved by their place in the table this year, so even without him, it will still be a huge test for us and we must improve in all aspects of the game from last week.

“I am confident we can stand up and perform under pressure.”

No matter what happens at Lochlands, anything other than a decisive victory for Grange on home turf against Aberdeenshire would be a major shock - even though they tied at Mannofield in mid-summer.

Elsewhere, Watsonians take on Carlton at Myreside - 24 hours before they clash again in the Scottish Cup Final at Forthill.

Doomed Falkland will aim to salvage pride against Forfarshire at Scroggie Park and Heriot’s should be too strong for neighbours SMRH at Inverleith.