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Ross County will look to maintain their recent good form with another victory over Queen of the South at Victoria Park, Dingwall, this afternoon.
County manager Neale Cooper said last night: "We're only two points adrift at the top of the table and we've come back to win our last two games so we'd love to make it three-in-a-row against Queens.
"Steve Ferguson is still out with a hamstring injury, while Frank Escalon has been suffering from a virus which makes him tired very easily and he will also be missing.
"Craig Tully and John Fraser are now free of suspension and come into consideration."
Cooper will not make the mistake of underestimating the visitors.
He added: "They came back from 3-1 down to earn a very creditable share of the points against Stirling Albion last week and I expect a tough game as they're definitely in a false position at the foot of the table."
Queen of the South will hand a debut to former Motherwell midfielder Sandy Hodge, who signed for the Doonhamers yesterday after completing a month's trial with Caley Thistle.
Regular keeper David Mathieson has had an operation on a troublesome knee and misses out.
Queen of the South co-manager George Rowe believes County will provide his squad with a tough test.
He said: "We know it will be tough at Dingwall and I firmly believe that we haven't seen the best of Ross County yet. When the winter sets in, they will really see the benefit of their big squad."
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Ross County defender Brian Irvine is looking for a second win over Bell's First Division nomads Hamilton to take the Dingwall side clear at the top of the table for the first time.
County's clash against Accies at Firhill is the day's only senior game and former Don Irvine believes they can't afford to pass up the chance to take over pole position.
Neale Cooper's side got their campaign off to a winning start with three points at home to Hamilton in August.
Another three will take them a point clear of Arbroath going into the second quarter of the season.
"That's us played everybody now and there isn't a clear favourite for the championship," said Irvine.
"But with three teams going up to the First Division this season the chase for those places is sure to be tight.
"This club are geared up to make progress through the leagues, but we haven't played well at all this season and we've had to dig in and get results.
"Hamilton are a tough side to beat, but we beat Partick 2-0 at Firhill a fortnight ago and a similar result will do us just fine."
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Ross County manager Neale Cooper fielded his first team in a reserve match at Queen's Park on Tuesday night as a punishment for their poor weekend performance against Hamilton on Saturday.
Cooper fielded a line-up which included 11 first-team players including captain Brian Irvine, Nicky Walker, George Shaw and Danny Lennon in the 2-0 victory at Lesser Hampden.
The County manager said: "I decided to take the action because I can accept defeat when my players give their all, but on Saturday they were bullied out of the game by Hamilton.
"I fielded the first team against Queen's Park and they showed the kind of attitude, commitment and style of play I expect from my players.
"The boys know that they are looked after well if they win. When I give them jobs I expect them to carry them out and if they don't they won't be in the team.
"It might be that some of the players are not good enough for this level and if that's the case I'll have to bring others in.
"I am on the lookout for a striker and a left-sided player, but I have to make sure they are players that will fit in well at Ross County."
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Ross County will give striker Derek Holmes, a £50,000 club record signing from Hearts, his debut at home to Stranraer today.
The 21-year-old, who struggled to gain a regular first-team spot at Tynecastle, has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Victoria Park club.
The 6ft forward, who has had spells on loan with Raith Rovers and Cowdenbeath, signed a new contract with Hearts in the summer, but decided to move on after failing to make an impact at the Premier League club.
Ironically, Holmes played and scored in the Edinburgh side's CIS League Cup win against East Fife at Stark's Park on Tuesday night.
The transfer gives Hearts first option on the player or a percentage of any fee should County sell him on.
A delighted Holmes said: "It was a big decision to leave Hearts and I enjoyed my time there, but Ross County is a great new challenge.
"I have been really impressed with County and it is a really great set-up. I'm looking forward to getting a run of goals and victories under my belt.
"I just want to play well and to score goals and I have confidence that I can do that for Ross County.
"I have moved from the Premier League and eventually I want to go back there and I hope it can be with County."
Manager Neale Cooper said: "This move will give the whole club a lift.
"He is a big target man with a good touch and he gives us an option that we have been missing since Neil Tarrant left.
"I have been tracking him for a while and I was delighted to bring him in and I'm sure he will also prove very popular in the changing room.
"He will start the game tomorrow and I hope the boys will show the same character they did in the reserve match on Tuesday night."
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Neale Cooper will hand former Dundee United midfielder Tonny Mols his chance to earn a Ross County contract in tonight's Inverness Cup first round tie against Forres Mechanics at Victoria Park (7.30).
A free agent after Paul Sturrock freed him, Mols played for Arbroath as a trialist last Saturday.
He is training at Dingwall this week and Cooper will pitch him into tonight's tie against the Highland League Cup holders.
"It's the ideal chance to give lads needing a game a run-out and the ideal opportunity for Tonny to show us what he can do because Forres will make the tie highly competitive," said Cooper.
Mols looks certain to start along with Steve Ferguson, who will be making his comeback after a five-week injury lay-off, and John Fraser, who was suspended for County's 1-1 draw with Stranraer 10 days ago.
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Ross County last night signed Mark Duthie from Ayr United and the wing back is set to make his debut against Alloa in the Division 2 clash at Victoria Park, Dingwall, today.
The 27-year-old, who had a spell on loan at Stranraer earlier in the season, was signed for a nominal fee until the end of the season.
Neale Cooper was delighted with the signing of the former Livingston player. He said: "We have been trying to sign Mark for a couple of weeks but we had to wait until his loan deal with Stranraer ended.
"He is comfortable playing in the right or left wing-back position and he gives us another option.
"The Alloa match is a huge game for us. We've not really got going this season so far and we're still near the top of the league but if we get the win it takes us closer to them.
"We have had two close games this season where they have beaten us but we want to get a run going where we can be top of the league on our own merit."
County add midfielder Steven Ferguson, who returns from injury, but John McGlashan, Kenny Gilbert and John Fraser are all out. Cooper has also allowed striker Mike Geraghty to join Clydebank on a month's loan.
Alloa will be without long-term injury victims Gilbert Allan and Mark Cowan.
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