Fife derby date for Robson & Lennon - watch on BBC

Scottish Championship: Raith Rovers v Dunfermline Athletic

Where: Stark's Park, Kirkcaldy When: Friday 22 August Kick-off: 19:45 BST

Coverage: Watch live on BBC Scotland, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website & app

"Barry's Boot Camp" was how Lewis Stevenson summed up his day prior to arriving for Sportscene punditry duties last week.

The on-screen make-up had to work overtime to hide those tired eyes. Clearly, Raith Rovers gaffer Barry Robson has been putting his squad through the early season mill. No special dispensation for former Scotland international left-backs with TV work in the evening.

In recompense for whip being cracked, the Raith lads were given a few days off at the weekend to recuperate with the League Cup dominating the agenda.

The group stage of that competition was decidedly patchy for the Kirkcaldy side. A crazy 4-2 defeat to East Kilbride was the headline moment.

The Championship side were leading 2-1 with a minute left of regulation time remaining before the League Two newcomers stunned their hosts with three quickfire goals.

The Rovers' ship has since steadied and they go into Friday's Fife derby fourth in the table, level on points with visitors Dunfermline.

The hosts just missed out on the play-offs last season and Dylan Easton is likely to be a crucial component if they are to improve on that showing.

The 31-year-old has often sparkled in his three years at the club and has seven goals from six games already this season.

His very name adds extra spice and intrigue – if any were needed – to this local contest since speculation was rife during the summer that Dunfermline had tried to poach Easton from their rivals.

In Fife circles it would surely have made Mo Johnston signing for Rangers seem like a fairly tame affair.

Whatever the truth, the Pars have started solidly enough without him. Neil Lennon's side won three of their four League Cup group games. The only defeat came on the opening weekend against Hearts at Tynecastle, where the performance from the Pars earned them plaudits that belied the 4-1 scoreline.

On the transfer front, Dunfermline's continued link with highly-rated St Johnstone striker Makenzie Kirk illustrates the ambition of the club under the former professional poker player James Bord.

The reported asking price for Kirk is over £500,000, certainly not small change in the Championship.

Lennon has already spent an undisclosed fee bringing in Peruvian international attacking midfielder Jefferson Caceres from Sheffield United on a two-year deal.

Blend into the mix a youthful crop of exciting homegrown talent like the Tod brothers, Jon and Andrew both scorers in the recent 2-0 win over Airdrie, and there is plenty to be positive about right now for those of a Pars persuasion.

And then there's the manager. Lennon brings unquestionable box office. His opposite number Robson is no shrinking violet either.

The dugouts could be as compelling as the action on the pitch.

Competition looks fierce for the top four this season, which means this derby has an extra edge as both sides look to lay down an early season marker.