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While St Mirren make the lengthy journey to Aberdeen this weekend, Conference League rivals SK Brann have been given the weekend off from domestic duty.

It's a tricky situation for manager Stephen Robinson who will be forced into heavy rotation at Pittodrie ahead of the away trip to Bergen for the second leg in Europe.

However, while Robinson would have been grateful for a home match this weekend or a break to assist his side's European aspirations - he's certain it's not a situation that has been created intentionally by league chiefs.

"It would be nice if we did have that break," admitted the St Mirren boss. "We were in on Friday morning and some of the boys probably didn't get to sleep until 3am.

"We can't use that as an excuse. First and foremost we have to play better than we did on Thursday night.

"I don't think until you are in it that you actually appreciate how intense it is, especially the Thursday-Sunday. There is a real lack of recovery there and if you have got an away trip as well four hours up the road it's probably not the ideal fixture schedule.

"I'm not sure when they done the fixture list they knew whether we'd still be in the tournament!

"Listen, it would be very, very helpful - of course it would. It's something I would imagine all teams who have competed in Europe would feel the same. If you had a home fixture it would be better but after they've made the scheduling can it be changed, I'm not so sure.

"I'm sure the SPFL would do what they can to help, it's in everyone's benefit for the coefficient to go up along with the profile of Scottish football.

"I  don't think anyone has done it intentionally, it's just the circumstances, unfortunately.

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St Mirren could be boosted by the return of Lewis Jamieson on Sunday with the forward back in full training after a small thigh issue last week. Mark O'Hara remains out with long-term absentees Conor McMenamin and Greg Kiltie still a way from comebacks.

While less than ideal, Robinson is confident his side can still achieve a result in Aberdeen with the league tie at Pittodrie offering the chance for players to stake a claim for a starting spot in Norway.

He said: "I will make changes and I certainly don't believe it weakens the team.

"I will make changes and people will have opportunities, as they have done, and the boys have taken them opportunities.

"Then, it becomes a four-day rest in between and you put your best team out to get a result against Brann.

"Certainly, boys who maybe haven't had as much game time as they wanted will get opportunities over the coming weeks."