THIS Saturday Lowland League champions, Edinburgh City, will be the visitors for a 3pm kick-off to round off Cowdenbeath's pre-season programme..

So after last weekend’s win over another Lowland League outfit, Gala Fairydean Rovers, Cowden drew with Premiership Hearts in midweek and on Saturday, the team that won the southern leg of Scottish League football’s pyramid system will be at Cowdenbeath for the first time in many years.

Cowdenbeath player/manager Colin Nish sees these as very important matches as Cowden try to get themselves up to full match fitness for the Petrofac Challenge Cup-tie with Raith Rovers at Central Park on the 25th.

Reflecting on last Saturday’s game and looking ahead he said, “The first 10 minutes at Gala were a bit of a battle but once we scored we settled down and played some good stuff.

“Against Hearts on Wednesday it was a step up in classbut the lads handled it well and now on to Edinburgh City.” City lost out in the play-off with Brora Rangers, winners of the Highland League, to see who would take on bottom of League Two Montrose in the relegation play-off, but only just.

City were dominant in last season’s Lowland campaign and are sure to be out to show Cowdenbeath what they can offer.

Said Mr Nish, “Edinburgh City have been doing well in their friendly fixtures and I would think it will be an entertaining game against a team who will want to show that they would have been a good addition to league football.” Midfielder Lewis Milne has been struggling with a leg knock but the manager thinks he will be back soon, “Lewis is the sort of player we will need this season and hopefully he will be fit for the game this weekend, which would be a big boost.” The player/boss (pictured) confirmed that the club has concluded arrangements to loan out promising young forward, Kyle Mitchell, to East Junior Super league side, Penicuik Athletic.

The 17 year-old is a participant in the Modern Apprentice programme at Central Park and playing regularly for Penicuik at the highest level of league football in the junior ranks is viewed as another step for Kyle in gaining experience and having the opportunity to show his prowess. The loan agreement also includes an arrangement which allows Cowdenbeath FC to recall Kyle at its option. And manager Colin Nish has made another addition to his squad on the eve of the new season with the signing of Mohammed ‘Mo’ Yaqub, a left sided defender (he has also played in a midfield role) who played as a trialist in last Saturday’s match at Galashiels.

Mo was a trainee for a time with Celtic and then moved to join St. Mirren in July 2012. He made his League debut for St Mirren at the end of season 2012/13. The 21-year old was also capped by Scotland at under-17 level.

Mo was released by St Mirren following their recent relegation and is now looking forward to playing his part for the Blue Brazil in the season ahead. At the recent Cowdenbeath FC supporters meeting, it was agreed that the early bird period for buying a season ticket would be extended until 3st1 July. So a discount of £20 is still available for adult season tickets purchased by that date with fans aged 65 and over enjoying a £10 discount on their season ticket. The discounted prices are £210 and £105 respectively. Also still on sale are season tickets for fans aged 13 to 16 at £60 and season tickets for those 12 and under at just £30.