by Stuart Gillespie

County had a fantastic run in last season's Scottish Cup that included terrific wins over Hibs and Celtic to make it to the final for the first time in their history, but sadly for them they were outplayed by a far superior Dundee United side on their big day. However, their cup run, combined with a solid year in the First Division, provides plenty of optimism for the new season - especially as they managed to keep a hold of talented young manager Derek Adams. They saw off Livingston to make it to this stage of the League Cup and have a win, a draw and a defeat to show for their first three league games. As if their Scottish Cup exploits last term weren't enough of a warning as to how difficult tomorrow's game will be, County also put Hamilton Accies out of this competition last season and put up a good display against Dundee United.

County are having to cope without star striker Andrew Barrowman at the moment due to a broken foot. The former Kilmarnock man helped fire them to the Second Division title in 2008 before moving to Highland rivals Inverness Caley Thistle. However, an unsuccessful time there saw him return to County last January and he has begun banging in the goals once again. His absence means the onus is on the likes of Steven Craig, Michael Gardyne, Garry Wood and Paul di Giacomo to score the goals.

County also have three former Saints to call on for tomorrow's game in the shape of Richard Brittain, Mark Corcoran and Paul Lawson. Lawson's time at the Club while on loan from Celtic in 2007 was rather unsuccessful, but he has done well in Dingwall since he was let go by the Parkhead club at the end of that season. Brittain has also done well in midfield since he was let go by Saints in 2008, while Corcoran - who helped Saints to the First Division and League Challenge Cup in the 2005-2006 season - is a more recent arrival at Victoria Park, having only joined the club a few months ago from Partick Thistle. All three players are more than capable of supplying both chances and goals from midfield.

You have to go back to April 2006 for the last time the two sides met and Saints left Dingwall that afternoon with a 2-0 victory courtesy of goals from Stewart Kean and John Sutton as the Club moved within touching distance of promotion to the SPL. Trips to Victoria Park used to be feared by the Saints faithful as they often resulted in them returning home after seeing their side suffer a heavy defeat. However, 2004 was the last time County beat Saints in Dingwall as they won in both the league and League Challenge Cup that season, with Saints winning on each of last three visits. The last time County beat Saints was also the only time they ever won at Love Street, coming in January 2006. The two clubs have met just once in the League Cup, which came in the 2000-2001 season. Saints needed extra time to record a 3-1 victory and they went on to make the semi-finals of the competition that year.

Of course, under Gus MacPherson Saints went one better last season and should probably have gone on to lift the three handled trophy against Rangers at Hampden. Tomorrow's game is the first step on the return journey to the national stadium and new manager Danny Lennon will be looking forward to having a few more players at his disposal than he did for Sunday's defeat to Celtic. Both Paul McGowan and Michael Higdon will be available again and should boost the threadbare striking options, while Craig Dargo seems to be fit again after starting at Parkhead. There's also a chance Gareth Wardlaw and Paul McQuade could be available again. However, Steven Thomson and David Barron are likely to still be missing, meaning while Lennon should have plenty of strikers available, he'll probably have to stick with the same defence and most of the same midfield he had at the weekend.

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