Rob Roy supporters are in good spirits after hearing prolific hitman Willie Sawyers has launched a belated bid to figure in tomorrow’s Scottish Junior Cup fourth round clash against Musselburgh Athletic.

The 30-year-old has returned to training alongside his team-mates following an 11-week injury lay-off brought about by him severely tearing a thigh muscle during the 4-3 third round defeat of Glasgow Perthshire back in November.

Sawyers has sat out all of the Kirkintilloch outfit’s five outings during the interim and his lack of game time undoubtedly raises a question mark over his match fitness levels.

However, Rabs boss Stewart Maxwell has refused to rule out a sensational comeback for the talismanic frontman.

He said: "It’s a massive boost for dressing room morale to have a character like Willie back in the frame.

“But what cannot be overlooked is his long spell on the sidelines along with the seriousness of the injury that sidelined him in the first place so nobody is getting ahead of themselves - least of all myself - and thinking he’s fit and ready to make a comeback.

“I certainly won’t rule it out at this stage, however we firstly have to gauge whether Willie gets through this week’s sessions without suffering any adverse reaction and take it from there.

“He’s champing at the bit as you might expect but no decision will be made on him until much closer to kick off time on Saturday.

“That said, it’s most encouraging to think we could have the attacking option up our sleeve of throwing in a striker who has 15 goals to his name despite missing two and a half months of the season.”

Last Tuesday afternoon’s fifth round draw has landed the winners of tomorrow’s Guys Meadow showdown with a last-16 trip to face Penicuik Athletic.

And that caused Maxi to have a moment of reflection. "I’ll be accused of sitting on the fence in saying it could be harder and it could be easier, but I do know quite a bit about Penicuik because my former Bathgate Thistle team-mate Johnny Harvey is their manager .

“You can bet on him having someone take in tomorrow’s game, but I won’t be giving his team the slightest thought until we see how things pan out against Musselburgh.”

Rob Roy have been strongly linked with moves on the transfer front of late with approaches reputed to have been made for erstwhile Queen's Park frontman John Carter ( now at Glenafton) as well as Kilbirnie Ladeside’s transfer listed midfielder Ian Gold .

Maxi said: "We made an enquiry about Carter, but matters never got past first base once the big guns arrived on the scene waving their cheque books.

“A signing bid for Gold who admittedly is a very skilful type is news to me given that we are well covered in the wide areas with Chris Duff, Lee Gallagher and Gavin Mackie competing for the jerseys.”

The other Junior Cup game taking place has Rob Roy’s close neighbours Kilsyth Rangers heading to New Dundas Park to take on Bonnyrigg Rose in a played to a finish fourth-round replay that follows last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Duncansfield.

The East Region big guns recovered from 0-2 down to earn a second bite at the cherry and will be strong favourites to earn a last-16 tie against Petershill given they boast an impressive home record and have lost only once (4-2 against Kelty Hearts) in front of their own fans this season.

It doesn’t help Kilsyth’s cause that centre-backs Chris Reid and Mark Tyrrell are set to again be posted missing through injury however Gers gaffer Keith Hogg made light of the injury woes when looking ahead to the crunch contest .

He admitted: "Michael McGhee was drafted in to play as a replacement centreback and was outstanding alongside Paul Doyle who manfully played through the pain barrier and l hopefully he can manage to grit the teeth again through there.

“We looked like holding out until Corey Pearson was sent off for two yellow card offences and Bonnyrigg threw everything at us with three up front and their direct approach eventually told.

“I know it’s a tough venue through there from my own time as a player with Linlithgow Rose, but their great home record is balanced out by our form on our travels which has been superb and I fancy we can make a game of it.

“Liam McCrorie, our loan signing from Stenhousemuir, showed up really well in the first game and we’ve now brought in another Stenny loan youngster Grant Hamilton whose abilities are giving me plenty of food for thought.

“Last week gave us an indication of how Bonnyrigg shape up and we will try to cope with their attacking strengths while looking to pose them problems at the other end of the pitch.”

Playing tomorrow: (Kick-offs 2pm): Scottish Junior Cup Fourth Round.

Rob Roy v Musselburgh Athletic Replays. Bonnyrigg Rose v Kilsyth Rangers

McBookie.com Super Premier Division

Arthurlie v Glenafton, Auchinleck Talbot v Largs Thistle, Cumnock v Beith, Kilwinning Rangers v Kilbirnie Ladeside,Troon v Hurlford Utd .

McBookie.com Super First Division.

Blantyre Vics v Yoker Athletic, Girvan v Irvine Vics, Petershill v Shettleston, Renfrew v Maryhill, Clydebank v Rutherglen Glencairn, Irvine Meadow v Shotts Bon Accord.

McBookie.com Central First Division

Wishaw v Bellshill Athletic Benburb v Rossvale, Cambuslang Rangers v Lesmahagow, Greenock v Vale of Clyde, Johnstone Burgh v Forth Wanderers, St Roch's v Larkhall Thistle, Neilston v Thorniewood Utd.

McBookie.com Central Second Division. E

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

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Muirkirk v Kello Rovers, Ardeer Thistle v Annbank Utd , Darvel v Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Craigmark v Whitletts Vics, Maybole v Saltcoats Vics, Lugar Boswell v Dalry Thistle.