EXPERIENCED midfielder Steven Whittaker has called on the whole Pars squad to play their part and rediscover their belief to rescue their play-off hopes.

And the 36-year-old is hoping that the team’s home form can provide the boost they need in their final three matches to find the winning touch and return to the top four.

After three games out with an ankle injury, the former Scotland international returned as a substitute at Ayr United on Saturday, before playing 65 minutes against Dundee on Tuesday.

Two draws – which extended Dunfermline’s winless run to six league games – saw them fail to climb back above Inverness Caledonian Thistle and into the final play-off place.

Victory over Queen of the South this lunchtime at East End can take them there before the Highlanders host third-placed Dundee on Tuesday evening, which Whittaker acknowledged will be hugely significant.

During a trophy-laden club career with Hibernian and Rangers, the current Athletic player-coach also has experience of a successful play-off campaign, when he was part of the Norwich City team that won promotion to the English Premier League in that manner six years ago.

Whittaker’s know-how in handling such high-stakes situations could, therefore, prove crucial, but he commented: “It needs everyone, not just me.

“I had a little ankle injury so I came on for 20 minutes at Ayr and managed 65 today. Games are running out so, for me, it’s just trying to get up to speed and help the guys as best I can.

“It probably wasn’t a great spectacle (against Dundee) to watch but it’s a point. We’re outwith the play-offs with three to go but if we can pick up close to maximum points, we’ll put ourselves in with a good chance still of creeping in.

“I think the teams round about us play each other as well so that’ll be the deciding factor. If we can take maximum points at the weekend, then both teams (Inverness and Dundee) can’t, so I think that if we still look after our own business, then we can still sneak in there and give ourselves a chance.

“There’s been positives and negatives to the last three draws. We need to keep positive and keep taking the good aspects of those performances that take us into these last three games.”

Prior to the Ayr and Dundee games, the Pars drew with Hearts – who were crowned champions at the weekend – in a match they had plenty of chances to win.

However, since beating the Jam Tarts in November, they have managed just four wins, all at home, in 19 Championship outings.

Whittaker, though, wants his team-mates to find the feelings of their early-season form, which saw them win nine of their opening 10 matches in all competitions.

“We’ve had poor games but, especially in the early parts of the season, we were unbeaten in however many games, we were winning games and were maybe just getting that little break on the day,” he continued.

“Our hard work and our play was deserving of the victory and we’re just not quite finding those standards at the minute. We’ve got three games to get back to that.

“The feel-good factor from the games where we had played well – we need to get back to those feelings, stick together out there and it will turn.

“Our home form’s good. We’ve got two games out of the three at home, so let’s look at Saturday, get three points and see where we’re at after that.”

Pars v Queen of the South - what you need to know

Here's the important information ahead of today's game.

What time is kick-off?

The game begins at midday. All SPFL fixtures have been brought forward three hours due to the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral, which takes place at 3pm.

How can I follow?

The game is live for season ticket holders, and on pay per view, on Pars TV.

Press Sport will also have live updates from around 11am.

How is the Championship looking?

With three games left, Dunfermline are one point and one place outside the top four. Queens are two points behind the Pars.

A win for Dunfermline moves them back into fourth prior to Inverness' meeting with third-placed Dundee, five points ahead of Athletic, on Tuesday evening.

Today's other fixtures see Alloa host second top Raith Rovers, and Arbroath tackle Ayr United in a key battle in the race to avoid second bottom spot.

Recent form?

Dunfermline are seven without a win in all competitions, but have drawn their last three. Queens have won two of their last seven games, with their last outing ending in a 1-0 loss to Raith on Tuesday.

Previous meetings?

It's one win apiece this season.

In the third match of the campaign, goals from Euan Murray, Declan McManus and Paul Watson gave the Pars a 3-2 win, despite counters by Joe McKee and Stephen Dobbie.

In February's reverse at Palmerston, a long-range strike by ex-Par, Wullie Gibson, gave the Doonhamers a 1-0 victory.

Team news?

Ryan Dow and Lewis Martin remain out for Dunfermline, whilst Scott Banks and Iain Wilson are doubts.

Yesterday, Queens announced manager Allan Johnston, and assistant Sandy Clark, had signed new contracts with the club. Dobbie picked up a knock against Raith but the Doonhamers are likely to be at cloe to full-strength.

The referee is David Lowe.