VALE OF CLYDE are set to spark a bidding war after putting midfield dynamo Thomas Sinclair up for sale.
VALE OF CLYDE are set to spark a bidding war after putting midfield dynamo Thomas Sinclair up for sale.
Tin Pail boss John Crooks revealed he was open to offers for the highly-rated player.
And that could alert Arthurlie, Pollok and Bellshill Athletic, who are all declared admirers of the 22-year-old former Sten-housemuir player.
Joining him on the open-to- transfer list is one-time Everton signing Joe McAlpine. Crooksy outlined his reasons for allowing Sinclair to go. He said: "Sinky took his time before deciding to turn down Camelon and sign on again in the summer.
"But with hindsight he should maybe have taken the chance of a transfer away from here. He's just not had the same spark about him and we feel it's prob-ably in his best interests as much as our own if he moves on.
"Joe has not featured as often as he would have liked and wants regular starting appearances."
Sinclair is likely to miss tomorrow's clash with Arthurlie at Fullarton Park. And that's another setback for fledgling Junior gaffer Crooksy, who is already facing selection problems.
He revealed: "Craig Halliday starts a three-match suspension while James Wilson and Alan Mackin are definitely ruled out through injury."
The player-boss is desperate to improve his club's current return of one point from two Super Premier matches to date.
"This is a tough league and it's vital that we put a few more points on the board early to avoid playing catch-up."
The Vale will not find points easy to come by against an Arthurlie side boosted by qualifying for the Sectional League Cup Final in midweek.
And Lie gaffer Mark Cameron has pledged a return to their all-out attacking style after their defeat of Ashfield.
"It wasn't pretty and went against the grain, if truth be told. Hopefully we can play our normal game at Tollcross where picking up three points would help redress the balance after losing at home last weekend."
The Barrhead outfit's conquerors of a week ago, Auchinleck, could be excused for having their minds on other matters ahead of taking on managerless Lanark United at Beechwood Park.
The Scottish Cup holders will be eagerly awaiting Tuesday's draw for the first round of this season's competition.
But, 48 hours later, of arguably greater interest to the Ayrshire club's supporters is Talbot going into the hat along with fellow-Junior qualifiers Irvine Meadow, Bonnyrigg Rose, Banks O'Dee and Girvan for the Homecoming Scottish Cup first round.
Some formidable Highland League, East and South of Scotland outfits stand in the way if our Junior representatives are to take the first steps towards the money-spinning fourth round when Celtic and Rangers enter the competition.
- West Region beaks have been forced to cancel next week's scheduled midweek fixtures amid growing concerns over weather conditions and failing light.
TOMORROW'S FIXTURES
(Kick-off 2pm unless stated)Stagecoach Super Premier Division: Auchinleck v Lanark, Beith v Rob Roy, Irvine M v Largs, Petershill v Bellshill, Pollok v Kilbirnie, Vale of Clyde v Arthurlie.
Stagecoach Super First Division: Annbank v Ashfield, Dalry v Cumnock, East Kilbride v Maybole, Glenafton v Girvan, Neilston v Clydebank, Renfrew v Glencairn, Whitletts v Kilsyth.
Stagecoach Central First Division: Lesmahagow v Larkhall, Blantyre Vics v Port Glasgow, Vale of Leven v Cumbernauld, Cambuslang v Perthshire, St Anthony's v Dunipace, Thorniewood v Shotts.
Central District Second: Shettleston v Benburb, Forth v Greenock, Royal Albert v Johnstone Burgh, Yoker v Newmains, Wishaw v Carluke.
Ayrshire District: Kello v Muirkirk, Kilwinning v Ardeer, Saltcoats v Hurlford, Darvel v Irvine Vics, Winton Rov v Troon, Craigmark v Lugar.
