JIMMY BOYLE has hailed the influence of veteran defender Paul Lovering after his first-team return on Tuesday night.

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The 35-year-old started Airdrie's shock 2-0 win over First Division Raith Rovers in the second round of the Scottish Communities League Cup.

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Lovers' passion, enthusiasm and ability to organise and cajole his team-mates was in evidence as the Diamonds bounced back from successive league defeats.

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And manager Boyle says the 16-year professional, who won promotion with the Diamonds in 2004 and captained the club to ALBA Challenge Cup success in 2008, still has plenty to offer his side.

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Speaking ahead of tomorrow's trip to Forfar Athletic, he said: "Paul always gives you that bite. He works really hard for the team and gets people going around him.

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"I was pleased to see him do well. He is still an influence at this level and that's why we signed him for another year.

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"He is great to have around the place and he can still play in the Second Division."

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Airdrie won all four of their league meetings with Forfar last season, notching up two 2-1 victories at Station Park in the process, but Boyle is guarding against complacency.

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The manager added: "We beat Forfar four times last season but we know that won't count for anything this weekend.

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"It will be a really difficult game and if we are to take anything from it, we will have to work really hard."