Chris Mackie’s metamorphosis from Juniors player to manager may have to go on the back burner tonight.

His five-month long upgrade at Arthurlie has shown marked signs of being almost complete.

However, an adherence to the old adage that the “team must come first” could fuel Chris into putting himself in the firing line for the Central League Cup quarter final showdown against arch-rivals Pollok.

Last night he said: "Injury is ruling out Gary Carroll while Gary Smith is unavailable due to work commitments and our stop-gap measure of pushing Ryan McGregor up front has been kyboshed through a bad leg gash suffered by Jordan Chisholm in last weekend’s game with Glenafton.

“Big Chis is now a definite non-starter so the likelihood is Ryan will drop back into a central defensive slot as our options are similarly limited at the back given Scott Gair’s continuing absence along with our other long-term injured pair, Ian Nimmo and Jamie Lyndsay.

“We’ll look to introduce several of our up-and-coming academy players and not just to make up numbers.

"However, it’s asking a lot to expect young kids to match up with our biggest rivals and the Cup holders to boot which is why I’m toying with the idea of pulling on the boots again.”

The Dunterlie-staged contest is the fourth derby meeting of the clubs this season and it’s thought a bumper home crowd will be in attendance hoping to see Arthurlie chalk up a first win while also avenging a 6-1 beating dished out on the Lok’s last visit through to Barrhead back in January.

Memories of that heavy loss were all too readily recalled by Chris, not least because Pollok’s victory marked the first defeat in the fourth game of his managerial tenure.

He said: "The scoreline is what it is but anyone taking in the game will know it was a travesty given that a ten man Arthurlie were leading 1-0 with half an hour left to play and looking a decent bet to hold out.

“But going down to nine men following a `last man` red carding that also brought a penalty kick equaliser to Pollok sparked a late collapse and they made the most of their extra numbers over the closing stages.

“Keeping a full complement of players on the pitch is vital in these derby matches and I’ll be stressing that message to my guys before kick-off because I know what to expect from them if everyone is out there doing their job.

“A lot of people will see Pollok as strong favourites to come out on top, but it’s not beyond us to spring a surprise result.”

Arthurlie's 2-0 weekend defeat by title challengers Glenafton, for whom Mick McCann and ex-Lie striker Chris Dallas were on the scoresheet, has set the scene for the New Cumnock outfit to move atop the standings with a win at home to Super Premier Division bottom markers Troon tonight.

But his side’s quest for a 13th league win of the season is anything but a formality, according to Glens boss Craig McEwan, who is desperate to open up a two-point lead on current league leaders Rob Roy before the Ayrshiremen round off their league campaign with a home and away double-header against the Kirkintilloch outfit

He said: "A lot will depend upon what Troon side turns up because nobody should lose sight of the fact their playing squad contains a number of top Juniors.

“For a team of their quality to have only won eight games all season defies belief but what should not be forgotten is we were one of their scalps when they turned us over 3-0 at Loch Park in the West of Scotland Cup.

“We will afford them every respect and I’m just hoping the guys can serve up a repeat of their outstanding performance against Arthurlie.

“That said, you get the same points for an ugly win and I’ll gladly take three 1-0 victories in our remaining league games.”

Among other intriguing games taking place tonight are the remaining New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup quarter final encounters which have Darvel hosting the visit of reigning trophy holders Auchinleck Talbot for the right to face Cumnock or Rob Roy in a semi-final contest scheduled for next Wednesday evening just 62 hours before the winner goes up against Pollok in the final.

And finally, one hears the funeral service for former Junior stalwart Billy “Buff” McMurray will take place at Lambhill Crematorium (1.30pm) this Friday, May 19.

PLAYING TONIGHT (Kick-offs 7pm): New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup, quarter-finals. Darvel v Auchinleck Talbot, Cumnock v Rob Roy.

McBookie.com Super Premier Division.Glenafton v Troon.

McBookie.com Super First Division.Cumbernauld Utd v Maryhill, Blantyre Vics v Kilsyth Rangers. McBookie.com Central District First Division.Bellshill Athletic v Thorniewood Utd, Forth Wanderers v Wishaw, Neilston v Benburb.

McBookie.com Central District Second Division. Gartcairn v East Kilbride Thistle. Central League Cup, quarter- finals.Yoker Athletic v St Roch's, Arthurlie v Pollok,

Third Round. Dunipace v Lesmahagow, Rossvale v Greenock.