Ton caretaker boss James Grady has become a victim of the virus that has swept through Cappielow recently, but he was still upbeat as he looked ahead to tomorrow's visit to Palmerston Park to meet league leaders Queen of the South.

There are doubts over the fitness of Stevie Masterton and Alex Walker, both of whom have groin strains, while Brian Wake remains out with a hamstring problem.

Grady said he and fellow caretaker Allan McManus had a good idea early in the week on how they would approach tomorrow's game. "Now we'll need to wait and see who's available," he said.

"It's always tight against them and it will be a difficult game. Allan and I saw them against Rangers and they did well. They've got decent experience and have strengthened by bringing in Dennis Wyness from St Mirren.

"But we want to talk about our own team. We have been preaching to the players that we are a match for anyone when we are on our game.

"It was a decent result last week. Training had been very positive and we were a bit disappointed that we didn't take the good work on the training ground into the game. But we've had another week of good work and Allan and I have been really pleased with the response of the boys." The side looked better balanced after a second half switch which introduced Carlo Monti on the left, Jim McAlister moving over to the right and Allan Jenkins coming into the centre of midfield.

Said Grady: "Carlo's delivery had been top notch in training leading up to the game, but we didn't start with him as he hadn't had much game time.

"Then we moved Jim over to his good foot. I can't believe he hasn't played there. You don't put square pegs into round holes. I know he doesn't mind which side he's on, and it does give us options." On his adoption of a basic 4-4-2 system, Grady said: "Most of the top teams play 4-4-2. If it's good enough for them, it's good enough for me.