Jack Leitch says Airdrie is the club for him - and the new signing is hoping to be declared fit to face Brechin on Saturday.

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Following a training stint and a successful trial period, the 21-year-old last week put pen to paper on an initial deal until the new year.

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After a summer of uncertainty Leitch is keen to stay longer.

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"It was a frustrating couple of months not knowing what was happening or where I was going to be playing, but I've enjoyed it here.

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"I've signed till January, so hopefully I'll play as many games as I can and then see what happens.

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"This is the place I want to stay."

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Leitch's "official" debut (following three games as a trialist) came at Somerset Park last Sunday as the Diamonds took Ayr United to extra time in the Irn Bru Cup.

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The day ended in misery for the midfielder as he left the field on a stretcher midway through the second half, but he explained that things aren't as bad as first feared.

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"At first I thought it was my knee.

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"I was thinking the worst because I've done my cruciate before, but luckily enough it just ended up being an impact injury down the side of my shin, so there's a chance I'll be okay for Saturday."

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As attention turns to the visit to high-flying Brechin City, Jack is in positive mood.

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"The way we play we're always going to create chances.

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"If we can stop conceding goals at the back - especially from set-pieces - we can hopefully get a good result up there."

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Head coach Kevin McBride is expecting a difficult afternoon against the meanest defence in League One.

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"They're a big physical side and they've only lost two goals this season, so defensively they're obviously well organised.

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"They're going to be hard to break down so we need to go there and be patient to get something out of the game."

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Striker Iain Russell is suspended for Airdrie following his extra-time red card at Ayr, and McBride faces a selection headache up front.

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"Iain's suspended, but there are also fitness doubts over Kevin Schmidt, Adam Brown and Jack Leitch."

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Whatever his options are on the day, the Diamonds boss will be hoping to continue a league scoring average of two goals per game.

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Darren Dods' City are flying high in second place in the league, but go into Saturday's match on the back of a 5-1 Irn Bru Cup hammering at the hands of Dunfermline.

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Ex-Diamonds Darren McCormack and Chris O'Neil will be looking forward to the visit of their former club.

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Whistler Gavin Duncan takes charge of his second Airdrie match of the season, having refereed the Diamonds' 2-1 Betfred Cup win over Stenhousemuir.