Caolan McAleer is delighted to be back in the starting XI - and says there is no pressure on the Diamonds as they prepare to face title favourites Dunfermline Athletic.

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Northern Irish midfielder McAleer was red-carded at Brechin in his first start after re-signing for the Club in the summer, and has mostly featured from the bench since then.

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However the winger has started the last two matches - a draw with Albion Rovers and last week's win at Forfar - and he's happy to be back in the fold.

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"It feels good to be back playing and even better that the team are up to third in the league now.

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"I feel I'm playing okay, but i have a lot more to offer - and I want to chip in with a few goals as well."

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McAleer's reintroduction has coincided with the first appearances of the season for fellow wide-man Nicky Cadden, and the changes have seen four goals in two games for Airdrie - all from crosses.

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The Diamonds got off to an explosive start at Station Park last Saturday, goals from Alan Lithgow, David Cox and Marc Fitzpatrick putting them 3-0 up within half an hour.

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Forfar did stage something of a comeback, but Airdrie were able to hold on for the win and McAleer was pleased with the result.

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"We usually hadn't been starting games that well, so it was good to get a 3-0 lead so early on but conceding before half time wasn't ideal."

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It's back to New Broomfield tomorrow for the second meeting of the season with bookies title favourites Dunfermline.

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George Hunter silenced the home crowd when the sides met at East End Park in September, but Michael Moffat's second-half equaliser earned a draw for Allan Johnston's Pars.

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A whirlwind start to the season has subsided for the Fifers and they currently have to settle for second place, a point behind Ayr United.

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The gap to Airdrie in third is bigger, but could be cut to just four points in the event of a home win tomorrrow.

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Between the visitors' superior budget and full-time status, it's a big ask for Gary Bollan's squad, but Caolan feels they are up to the task.

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"We know we can compete with the likes of Dunfermline as we gave them a hard game the last time we played them. 

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"Also we have nothing to lose as we are underdogs, so there's no pressure."

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Long-term absentees Jim Lister and Scott Smith continue to work towards their comebacks for the Diamonds, while Pars captain Callum Fordyce remains sidelined by a broken leg sustained in September.

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The referee is Brian Colvin.