Petershill boss Willie Patterson is convinced the return of a full playing complement will spark a revival for his side’s Super First Division title ambitions.

Having to constantly hear of leading trio Kilsyth Rangers, Shettleston and Clydebank being touted as figuring in a three-way contest for the championship honours has irked the seasoned gaffer.

Even more so since he decided to keep schtum over a devastating injury crisis which has contributed in no small way to the Springburn outfit falling off the pace to sit fifth in the standings.

An unusually heavy 5-2 defeat by Clydebank at the start of this month was the catalyst for the doom and gloom merchants to begin circling the Peasy wagons.

But the return to action of centre-back pair Paul Murphy and Kevin Nicoll has Patterson feeling confident his side can enjoy a title party of their own.

He said: "Fifth spot is not where I would ideally like to be, however we are only four points behind Kilsyth in first place and we have a game in hand into the bargain so people write us off at their peril.

“We have still to come up against Kilsyth and an improving Irvine Meadow who are now in front of us on the back of an unbeaten run of eight games.

"And I also fancy Girvan will have something to say about who goes up and who doesn’t.

“It’s fair to say our conceding five goals to the Bankies was a setback, however we went into that game after a Wednesday night training session when we had more players in the treatment room than out on the pitch.

“Paul and Kevin returned the following week and it’s no coincidence that we have now racked up back to back clean sheets with them at the heart of our defence.

"And there’s further good news with Paul Callander making his comeback last weekend along with Chris Ketterer while Graeme Hearton is hoping to restart training after being posted missing since our pre-season friendly match against Queens Park.

“ Unfortunately, we now have Jordan Murch ruled out for the next three weeks with cracked ribs while young Alex Cassells is still struggling to recover from a patella ligament problem which has sidelined him for fully twelve weeks .

“I have deliberately kept quiet over our injury situation because every team suffers injury woes during a season.

"However, I’ve never known any side being crippled to the extent that we have been.

“I’m happier to reveal what has been going on behind the scenes now that there’s light coming through from the end of the tunnel and I’m certainly of the mind we will soon be back into our stride when everyone is fit for selection.”

Last weekend’s 1-0 Scottish Junior Cup defeat of East Region big guns Carnoustie Panmure delighted Patterson not least because it ensures Petershill’s name will be going into the hat when the fourthround draw takes place in the Evening Times offices next Wednesday afternoon at 3.30pm.

He added: "Our performance against Carnoustie was excellent with a special mention due to Chrissy Hall who scored a terrific goal and yet again showed he is getting back to his best form.

“He and Jason Hardie have teamed up superbly to give us a potent striking threat which is just as well because our normally deadly hitman Stephen McGladrigan has been having a rare lean time of it in front of goal and has yet to score in a competitive game.

“Chrissy in particular deserves great credit for working his socks off to get back to a decent level of fitness and he’s now reaping the benefits …along with ourselves…of all his hard work on the training ground.”

Petershill’s scheduled league match against Shotts Bon Accord today is being switched to Hannah Park because of a new 4G surface being laid at their Springburn ground is not to Patterson’s liking.

He said: "Moving here has seen us gain a bit of an advantage during the winter months through our surface being playable while other clubs suffer a rash of weather enforced postponements.

“Having the pitch re-laid at this juncture has scuppered our chances of getting ahead of the pack and it’s looking like works will not be completed this side of Xmas.

“It’s decent of Shotts to accommodate our request to switch today’s league fixture however the weather conditions of the past week will have been even more severe out in deepest Lanarkshire and will almost certainly see the game called off.”

Super First game of the day sees Clydebank hosting the visit of frontrunners Kilsyth, but not far behind in the pecking order is the Greenfield Park head to head of Shettleston and last season’s Ayrshire District champions Girvan.

The harsh frost and bitterly cold conditions are likely to result in a number of early morning pitch inspections so Junior followers are advised to contact their clubs before embarking on journeys aiming to take in games.

Already, Beith’s long awaited Scottish Cup tilt against Morton has been called off on account of a frozen pitch and many other clubs are expected to be likewise affected.

PLAYING TODAY (Kick-offs 1.45pm) Scottish Junior Cup.Third Round. East Kilbride Thistle v Culter, Downfield v Broughty Athletic, Kirrie Thistle v Hill of Beath, Thorniewood Utd v Bonnyrigg Rose, Stonehaven v Greenock, Luncarty v Rosyth, Dundee Violet v Glenafton, Dundee North End v Linlithgow Rose, Lochee Utd v Musselburgh Athletic, Blantyre Vics v Bo’ness United (New Douglas Park), Jeanfield Swifts v Hermes.

Replays. Irvine Meadow v Darvel, Auchinleck Talbot v Pollok.

McBookie.com Super Premier Division.

Hurlford Utd v Largs Thistle , Cumnock v Arthurlie, Rob Roy v Kilwinning Rangers.

McBookie.com Super First Division.

Shotts Bon Accord v Petershill, Shettleston v Girvan, Clydebank v Kilsyth Rangers, Irvine Vics v Yoker Athletic, Renfrew v Cumbernauld Utd, Rutherglen Glencairn v Maryhill.

McBookie.com Central First Division Lesmahagow v Benburb, Bellshill Athletic v Larkhall Thistle, Cambuslang Rangers v Neilston, Forth Wanderers v St Roch's, Johnstone Burgh v Rossvale.

McBookie.com Central Second Division.

Port Glasgow v Gartcairn , Lanark Utd v Dunipace, Royal Albert v Ashfield, St Anthony's v Carluke Rovers, Vale of Leven v Glasgow Perthshire.

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League. Maybole v Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Lugar Boswell v Craigmark, Annbank Utd v Whitletts Vics, Dalry Thistle v Saltcoats Vics, Muirkirk v Ardeer Thistle.