THE odds on Wishaw pulling off their biggest upset of the season will drift after they were forced into ringing the changes for tonight's meeting with Euroscot Eng Cup holders Clydebank.

John McKeown's young side drew 2-2 with Pollok and beat Scottish Junior Cup kingpins Hurlford United 1-0 in friendly affairs prior to taking full points from their four Euroscot Eng Section Two encounters, scoring 13 goals and conceding only three in the process.

But this storming start to the season - arguably Wishaw's best in decades - is sure to be topped if the ambitious Central First Division outfit deal a knockout blow to the Bankies at the Beltane tonight.

But the backdrop to this played-to-a-finish quarter-final clash has McKeown resigned to going without his experienced centre-back pairing of Ryan Kennedy and team skipper Neil Newman as well as highly rated striker Jason Thomson and his fiery goalkeeping brother Sandy.

McKeown said: "Jason dislocated his knee in Saturday's 5-0 defeat of Newmains and the huge blow of him missing out has been exacerbated by Sandy crazily picking up two red cards in the same game. He is now facing a lengthy ban so we have moved to sign up Gareth Halford of Bullfrog Amateurs who served up an outstanding performance as a trialist against Hurlford. He'll come into our thoughts for the Bankies.

"Ryan is a definite non-starter and I would put Neil in the same bracket, even though his desperation to take part has him attending hospital for a check up on his broken hand injury.

"The upside to all these woes is the long-awaited return of Craig Crawford from suspension as well as Nicky Moore, who picked up an early season injury and has yet to figure for us competitively.

"I was a bit down on Saturday night when I thought of the damage done to our squad, however we've worked too hard for this chance to put Wishaw on the Junior football map so we are going to have a real go at taking Clydebank's scalp.

"They will understandably be overwhelming favourites, but my players certainly won't lack for effort and youngsters like Jonathan Boal, Michael Collinder and Paul McGeough will relish the opportunity to test themselves against one of the biggest names in the Juniors."

The affable McKeown provided an interesting backdrop to goalkeeper Thomson's sending off against Newmains when Wishaw were leading 2-0.

He went on: "It was our final Section game and we were fairly confident of qualifying so 15-year-old prospect Ryan Lawrie who attends Carluke High was brought in to sit on the bench.

"Sandy's moment of madness in conceding a penalty kick left me with no option other than to throw the young lad on. He was so nervous that before running on to the pitch he apologised to myself and my backroom staff for any mistakes he might make.

"But Ryan then went between the sticks and guessed right to brilliantly save the spot kick for what must be the best first touch ever for someone making their Junior debut."

Clydebank gaffer Budgie McGhie is set to recall holidaying pair Reece Pearson and Joe Andrew and could hand rugged stopper Paul Bell his first action of the season, but the combative Tommy Martin is ruled out.