There are no prizes for guessing the four ETHXenergy Scottish Junior Cup quarter-final ties will be taking centre stage in this weekend’s West Region fixture card.

But this understandable focus on the game’s No.1 competition cannot take away from the issues within the five McBookie.com sponsored superleagues which got underway back in August and are now fast approaching make-or- break time.

Hard not to believe the crossroads have already been reached by Irvine Meadow, who are rated overwhelming favourites to exit the Super Premier top flight.

But team boss David Greig adamantly refuses to accept a relegation fate is inevitable despite being rooted at the bottom of the standings fully seven points adrift of second-bottom Arthurlie.

The defiant gaffer insists his side have it in them to pick up three points at home to title challengers Glenafton on Saturday, even though there is every likelihood of a handful of his players sitting out the crunch contest.

Suspension rules out Michael Keenan and Gary McCann and there are injury concerns hanging over skipper Grant Evans, Ryan McGarry and player-coach Kevin Rutkiewicz.

Greggy said: "Grant's hamstring strain makes him a bit of a non-starter at this stage, but I’m not for discounting Kev from my selection thoughts just yet given that he played through the pain of twisted ankle ligaments for fully an hour of Saturday’s defeat by Arthurlie.

“He’s made of stern stuff and will be up for giving it a bash and I’ve no doubt McGarry is cut from the same cloth and would be putting his body on the line again but for the fact the knock to his foot has turned out to be a broken bone so he probably won’t feature over the coming month.

“He didn’t want to let his team-mates down and tried to shake off the injury for fully 20 minutes so his and indeed Kev’s attitude shows our dressing room spirit is still alive and kicking.

“Another boost comes from Ross McPherson making a comeback of sorts by coming off the bench at Dunterlie to play out the closing stages while Chris Hall was an unused substitute.

“Having two goalscorers of their ilk ready for our run-in games could make a huge difference.”

Second-top Troon are through in Glasgow to face in-form Shettleston whose picking up seven points from their last three outings has lifted Reon Juskowiack’s side to sixth place.

In contrast, another leading title challenger, Rob Roy, have suffered a major injury blow of their own ahead of hosting the visit of basement strugglers Petershill.

Rabs gaffer Stewart Maxwell said: "Gary McMenamin, who has been hugely influential in our midfield, tore his hamstring during the weekend defeat of Pollok and could be posted missing for the rest of the season.

“But the word is better on big Danny Boyle as the thigh muscle injury that caused him to be substituted on Saturday is not as bad as first feared so a decision will not be made on his fitness until later in the week .

“Taking on the Peasy when they are battling for survival promises to be a tough contest. However, it’s encouraging that our younger players Luke Whelan, Jordan McGuire and Reece Pearson are making their mark and don’t look out of place at Junior level.”

Largs Thistle's 1-0 victory over Shotts Bon Accord through a Graham Muir goal keeps the Barrfields side atop the Super First Division pile.

However, Theesel face an arguably tougher away game at Ardrossan Winton Rovers who were worthy of a share of the spoils in their 2-2 weekend draw with title hopefuls Kilwinning Rangers.

A perilous trip to face Kilsyth Rangers awaits second-top Clydebank, who are coming to terms with the loss of first season Junior prospect Rab O’ Neil.

He suffered a triple leg break in a tackle with former Bankies striker Scott Davidson, which caused their weekend game at Blantyre Vics to be abandoned with the visitors leading 1-0.

Team boss Budgie McGhie admitted: "The injury is a massive blow to the team but most of all to Rab who has been nothing short of outstanding since making the step up from Goldenhill Boys Under 21’s during the summer months.

“His operation has gone well and a long road to recovery now awaits, but the lad is made of the right stuff and will not shirk away from the hard graft required to get himself back to full fitness.”

Cumnock centre-back Paul Murphy’s red carding in the 3-1 victory over Yoker Athletic threatens to rule him out when the Nock seek to extend their unbeaten league run to ten games when heading even deeper into Ayrshire to face a Maybole side battling to avoid the drop.

Rutherglen Glencairn will be going all out to boost their survival hopes away to Yoker Athletic while Shotts Bon Accord could slip deeper into the mire against a resurgent Greenock looking to rack up a fourth win on the spin.