Josh Edwards is working hard to get back into the Airdrie line-up - and the young defender would love to help the Diamonds to a win over East Fife on Saturday.

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After a highly impressive start to his first-team career at Excelsior Stadium, Edwards had found himself on the subs bench in recent weeks, with boss Stephen Findlay reiterating the need to manage the youngster's progress correctly.

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The 17-year-old is typically level-headed about the situation, having agreed a two-year contract extension last month.

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"As one of the younger players, I did kind of expect to be in and out of the side - sometimes experience is what's needed so it's all part of the learning curve for me.

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"It's spurred me on to fight for my place, I've been working hard in training over the last couple of weeks. I know the club has belief in me, that's why I was so happy to sign my new contract a few weeks ago."

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Watching from the sidelines has been a different experience for Edwards after a series of solid outings at left-back.

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The Academy graduate describes recent team performances as "up and down".

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"The Ayr result wasn't a great one for us, but we played well in the first half and it could have been different if we had taken our chances.

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"Against Queen's Park we started brilliantly and could easily have been four or five up by the break - again we weren't as good in the second half but we got the three points."

 

After an unscheduled week off due to weather conditions, Airdrie are back in action against East Fife this weekend - and Josh knows the Diamonds will have to be a lot better than they were on their last visit to Bayview.

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"It's a big game on Saturday, and it's one we know we can win. Obviously our last trip there wasn't great - I was on the bench that day and it wasn't nice to watch.

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"We've seen in spells lately how well we can perform, we just have to make sure we don't allow East Fife a way into the game. We're probably due a result against them, and if we play to our strengths I think we should get one."

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Manager Stephen Findlay is happy to get back to work.

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"It's been a frustrating couple of weeks for everybody, but we're delighted to get back to it.

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"Saturday's the start of what people call the "business end" of the season, and it's really important that we go and give a good account of ourselves and focus on where we want to be come the end of the season.

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"It's a huge game for us, and we'll go and give it everything we've got."

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Referee Grant Irvine was in charge as Airdrie lost 1-0 in Alloa in November, booking one player and awarding the hosts a penalty kick.