JUDGING by their goals for and against in three pre-season friendly matches, it would be easy to understand if ‘business as usual’ signs were already posted at Auchinleck Talbot.

The stats so far make for impressive reading – 18 scored and one conceded, which suggest an early marker has been thrown down by the men from Ayrshire.

However revealing that chain of thought to be anything but the case is warrior centre-back Mark Campbell, who along with defensive partner Martin McGoldrick has yet to kick a ball for the reigning Scottish Cup holders and West Region champions.

Long-term injuries have consigned the pair to watching briefs in impressive victories over Craigmark, Annbank United and Newtongrange Star.

But now the stalwart duo are on the recovery trail and that must be worrying news for Talbot’s top flight rivals.

They were nothing short of miserly at the heart of a backline that racked up 12 clean sheets and leaked just the same number of goals in 22 Super Premier fixtures as Tommy Sloan’s men clinched a third consecutive title triumph last time out.

Sparky’s determination to better those stats has him champing at the bit to get back playing for his home town team.

However, neither does the 37-year-old want to rush his comeback and rule himself out for the longer term.

He said: “I sat out a few games last season with an Achilles tendon problem and unfortunately it flared up again and needed a cortisone like injection to settle things down and leave me pain free for the first time in ages.

“But though I’m raring to go, I’ll still be nowhere near ready to face Bo’ness in our friendly through East tomorrow and I must be considered a serious doubt for our Cumnock derby game the following Saturday .

“Goldy has a much better chance of figuring in these games as the broken arm injury suffered in our Evening Times Champions Cup defeat by Pollok has knitted well and he is close to getting back training with the other guys.

“But if our playing returns are delayed further then I don’t imagine many eyebrows will be raised as Tucker has a fully-fit Steven White back to his best and versatile enough to fill in centrally alongside Willie Lyle while James Latta fills in at full-back.

“That defensive line-up along with Andy Leishman in goal and Gordon Pope at left-back is as strong as any and it looks like Goldy and I could be twiddling our thumbs for a time yet.

“We are not alone because Stevie Wilson (injury) and David Gillies (holiday) have likewise missed games.

“So it looks like there will be a seriously intense competition for the jerseys once Tucker has everyone fit and available for selection.”

The departure of talisman striker David Gormley (to Clyde) had many Bot supporters reckoning their side’s attacking options were seriously blunted, however Sparky believes otherwise. He said: “Gorms on his day could be unplayable, but people were saying the same at the start of last season about Graham Wilson when he hit the ground running and was scoring goals for fun.

“He’s looking capable of hitting a similar purple patch, while Keir Milliken and outstanding youngster Mark Shankland are no slouches in the forward areas either and we can also call on summer signings Robert Love and Davie Gillies.

“So I’m scratching my head wondering how anyone would think we might have problems in the scoring stakes.

“They are all difficult opponents to play against so if anything we are better equipped than ever to hurt teams.”

Happy to endorse Sparky’s viewpoint is Troon Juniors and ex-Talbot stopper Gavin Collins, who believes the Portland Park side will be looking to mount a title challenge of their own following a spate of close-season signings by gaffer Jim Kirkwood, topped by last week’s capture of highly-rated goalkeeper Ally Semple from Cumnock.

Gav, whose first pre-season outing came in last weekend’s 3-1 success against Kilwinning Rangers, said: “Auchinleck remain the benchmark for the rest of us and I reckon their capture of Gillies and Stevie Wilson from ourselves will make their support forget all about the loss of Gormley.

“Both are excellent forward going types, however Jim appears to have brought in top-quality replacements that will thrive on the ammunition provided by midfield newcomers Colin Spence and Chris McKnight.

“We now have a solid core of experience that will stand us in good stead visiting places like Beechwood, Blair Park and Newlandsfield so people shouldn’t be too quick to write us off.”