Vale of Clyde boss Ian Currie’s early Christmas wish is to seek a return to playing action for the famous old Glasgow club.

The horrendous weather conditions that have decimated recent Junior fixture lists have certainly hit the Tin Pail harder than most.

Their last competitive outing was a 2-0 defeat by Renfrew on the last Saturday in October.

“November has been a washout in every sense of the word," bemoaned the experienced Currie whose hankering after match fitness for his playing squad saw him arrange a friendly outing against a youthful Dumbarton X1 at the Glasgow Green complex.

Last night he said: “We won the game 1-0 through a Ryan Connolly goal, but probably the most pleasing aspect was seeing the guys with the bit between their teeth.

“It would have been understandable had they looked lethargic in the light of postponement after postponement but instead they went about their business in a really determined manner and with a lot of energy to boot.

“And the mood in the camp at training this week has been very upbeat with everyone looking forward to this coming weekend’s New Coin Holdings Cup first-round tie away to Annbank United, which we are attempting to get played at the fourth time of asking.

“But the weather has already kyboshed the game twice and my big fear is it might be called off yet again.”

The Pebble Park contest takes on special meaning for the Tollcross players after the first meeting of the clubs all of eight weeks ago had to be abandoned early in the second half when Tin Pail striker Gavin Ross suffered a horrific double leg-break .

The 27-year-old hitman insists the Ayrshire ground holds no bad memories for him and is vowing to take in the game as a spectator to cheer on his team-mates.

He said: “So many of our games have fallen victim to the weather that I’ve only managed to get along and see the guys play once since my leg break and that was in the Euroscot Eng League Cup Final defeat by Petershill.

“It will be good to meet up again particularly as my rehab programme is finally underway after doctors examined the injury this week and said they were pleased with how the bones were healing and my recovery was progressing.

“The plate and screws will stay in place for a good bit longer but it’s a positive sign to be given the nod to start building up my leg muscles to the way they were beforehand.

“My sights are set on being fit and ready to take part in pre-season training next summer but I’ll be guided by Doctors in this respect because the last thing I want to do is put my recovery back by trying to do too much too early.”

Vale gaffer Currie is the first to admit his team will miss Ross's predatory instincts.

He added: "The team has undoubtedly missed Gavin’s physical presence, but thankfully Scott McManus has come in on loan from Clyde as he is a smashing player who will score goals once we manage to get a few games under his belt.

“It’s ironic to think he came here with the aim of playing regularly and getting match fit yet he has spent the past five weeks twiddling his thumbs along with the rest of the guys.”

By far and away the pick of the four New Coin Holdings Cup second-round ties taking place is the all-Super Premier Division clash of Kilbirnie Ladeside and Glenafton .

The Blasties, unbeaten in their last seven outings have yet to lose a game in front of their own fans this season and will be determined to protect their record but face a testing examination by a Glens side, currently sitting third top of the Super Premier pile on the back of three consecutive league wins.

Clydebank host the visit of Whitletts Vics ,whose team affairs will be the responsibility of veteran campaigner Graham Longair following the resignation of erstwhile manager Rikki Ryland in the wake of last weekend’s 5-1 hammering at the hands of Ayrshire District league leaders Irvine Vics .

The Bankies are strongly fancied to secure a place in the last 16 as indeed are reigning New Coin Holdings Cup holders Arthurlie despite the prospect of a long haul to go up against another Ayrshire District League side , Craigmark Burntonians.

Arguably a stiffer test awaits Irvine Meadow in making the short hop to face much improved Johnstone Burgh at Keanie Park however Stevie Rankin’s men appear to have too much in their armoury for their Central District opponents.