AS things stand there remains many more questions than answers about Cumbernauld United’s promotion prospects this season but if nothing else team boss Andy Frame is coming across as someone who lets actions speak louder than words.

Only last midweek he put inspirational skipper Terry Hewitt on the open to transfer list and if Guys Meadow terracing snippets ring true then the towering centre-back is likely to kickstart a number of comings and goings.

Taking such a drastic step and still coming away from Tayside last weekend with a 2-1 Scottish Cup first round victory over former cup winners Tayport was understandably a source of great relief for the United gaffer and he admitted as much when taking time out from preparations for this Saturday’s vital Super First Division clash with Rutherglen Glencairn.

Frame revealed: “Terry did brilliantly for us last season in our battle to avoid relegation but he hasn’t hit the same heights this time around and things came to a head recently when we had a chat and it was muted that he might be better looking for a fresh challenge.

“There’s been no fall out or arguments and the big fellow will always be welcome here at Guys Meadow, however a change might be best for both him and the team given we have won only one out of our five league games to date.

“And the most frustrating aspect is we are playing decent football but are shooting ourselves in the foot by conceding far too many goals.

“Nobody is pointing the finger of blame at Terry alone, however we simply have to turn things around and making changes might be the answer.”

The United gaffer went on: “We dropped Tony Stevenson back into central defence to play alongside Paul Murphy in what was a difficult game against Tayport and the new pairing worked really well, however we fully expect a much tougher test of their credentials against Glencairn.

“Willie Harvey’s side have clearly rediscovered their scoring touch looking at their 14-goal return in their last three games with five alone netted by new forward-line addition Liam Gormley who has certainly hit the ground running since his transfer from Cambuslang Rangers and we will need to curb the threat he poses and also that of his lively striking buddy Jay Mackay.

“Gormley displaced Fraser Team in the Glens side who has since moved to us and I’ve no doubt he will be desperate to prove a point against his former team-mates.

“He was excellent up at Tayport though without enjoying the same luck in front of goal as another former Glencairn favourite Davie Dickson did in coming away with a scoring brace to his name.

“Davie is just a terrific professional and a player who never lets you down and hopefully he can help us chalk up our first league victory.”

Keen to figure in the Ruglonian ranks is one-time Cumbernauld team captain Tony Fraser whose 15-minute substitute appearance in last Saturday’s 4-0 defeat of Kirrie Thistle was his first playing action in almost a month.

He said: “I was laid low by a calf muscle strain that took time to respond to treatment but it was pleasing to be involved again at the weekend, however actually getting back into the team will be no easy matter as the guys are playing with a lot of confidence.

“Jamie Hamilton in particular has been outstanding and I’m looking forward to his midfield head-to-head with Dixie who never seems to age and is undoubtedly the Peter Pan of Junior football.

“My old team have not got away to the best of starts but this Super First Division is an unforgiven league and any team that does not perform to its best on the day is likely to end up losers so we cannot be thinking the points are ours for the taking.

“Gormley has given us another dimension as he’s the out and out goalscorer that we’ve needed to turn our outfield play into goals and I for one wouldn’t bet against him finding the net in his fourth game on the spin.

“And it’s not just middle to front where we are looking the part because the guys at the back appear to be getting their act together after suffering something akin to a hangover after Ryan Docherty (now at Beith) moved away during the close season.

“Everyone was so used to him winning balls thrown into our box that it took a while for others to take responsibility but the signs are looking good.”

Super First frontrunners Petershill look a good bet for the spoils when hosting the visit of Kilsyth Rangers and the Springburn side could extend their lead atop the standings with chasing pack pair Renfrew and Troon locking horns in a Scottish Junior Cup replay while second top of the table Cambuslang Rangers are facing a daunting trip into Ayrshire to face Darvel.