IRVINE Meadow's preparations for today’s crunch New Coin Holdings Cup encounter with Pollok have seen assistant boss Murdie McKinnon give training facilities to the Glasgow club’s erstwhile fans favourite Ian Diack.

Though currently under contract with Sauchie Juniors, 34-year-old Diack is keen to land a club through in these parts.

And it’s reputed his East Region gaffer Fraser Duncan is willing to offload him on loan or indeed a permanent transfer deal.

The bustling frontman, who was capped for Junior Scotland and also turned out with Rob Roy, Linlithgow Rose and Kilbirnie Ladeside, has been keeping himself in trim by working out with home town club Cumbernauld United.

But he did not hesitate to head for Irvine when Medda’s No.2 wanted to run the rule over his fitness levels.

McKinnon didn’t quite go as far as suggesting Diack would be signed in time to be registered to figure in today’s head-to-head with his former club, but neither did he rule out the possibility in saying.

“ I wanted a look at Ian given he hasn’t played competitively since Sauchie took part in the Fife and Lothians Cup Final in mid-June.

"However, I have to say he’s in good physical shape and probably only lacking match fitness.

“Hopefully he’ll return next week for talks when Stevie is back but if you’re asking will he be included in our squad for the Pollok game then I’d have to say it’s looking unlikely even though I’ve learned a long time ago that Junior football is an arena that never ceases to throw up surprises .

“Ian would certainly be a handy addition to our armoury seeing as it’s looking like the New Coin Cup game is coming a shade too early for Archie (Ross McPherson ) who has trained with the other guys this week but has yet to really test if his broken foot injury is fully healed.”

Diack who has pressing family matters on his immediate radar with his wife having recently given birth to a baby son, revealed he would not be heading for Meadow Park in a spectating role.

He said: “I could still be playing at Sauchie but for informing Sauchie of my intention to move abroad and take up a player/coach role in Malta which unfortunately fell through at the eleventh hour.

“Fraser had moved to bring in replacements so I was then surplus to requirements, which in some respects was not a bad thing as the travelling was starting to prove a bit of a chore for someone with a young family.

“Cumbernauld United and their manager John Queen have been very good with me and there’s a lot to be said for training and playing locally.

"But he fully understands the chance to play yet again in the Super Premier Division is a huge attraction at this late stage in my career.

“The Medda players are a good bunch and I enjoyed working out with them this week and the thought of moving down there appeals, however it’s totally out of my hands whether a deal can be brokered or not.

“And the same applies to any proposed loan deal enabling me to play against Pollok but I can only be up for it if others want it to happen.”

The top flight rivals drew 1-1 at Meadow Park as recently as last month in a contest where Tony McInally’s men felt they deserved better after substitute Ryan Deas netted a controversial last minute equaliser for the Ayrshiremen.

The forthright McKinnon admitted: "It was one of those debatable goals that you look for as an attacking team but want a foul awarded if you are defending.

“Pollok played well but overall I felt it was a game of two halves where we were under the cosh initially but improved greatly with the introduction of Deas off the bench and what should not be overlooked in any post-mortem is the fact we played the closing 20 minutes with just ten men as a result of Mark Twaddle being red carded.”

"We carried our better form into the following week’s game and ran out 7-2 winners against Beith, but fell into the trap of thinking we only needed to turn up against Rob Roy last weekend and got our come-uppance.

“Working hard to win the ball proved futile because we simply gave it away again and the guys know they simply must do better against this Pollok side or suffer the consequences?”

Ex-Medda full-backMark Sideserf is a definite non-starter for the visitors with a knee problem but nevertheless his gaffer Macca was cock-a-hoop as he looked forward to leading his remaining players into the Ayrshire stronghold.

He said: “Mark is out but I’m not too unhappy as this is the closest I’ve come to having a full playing squad at my disposal.

“Paul Gallagher, Ross McCabe, Alan McKenzie and Davie Winters are all fit and raring to go and I’m fairly confident we can give a good account of ourselves.”

In other ties, the prospect of taking a big-name scalp is sure to fire up St Roch's supporters ahead of Cumnock arriving at the James McGrory Stadium, while an intriguing clash is promised between Junior newcomers Gartcairn and Shettleston.