When the Super Premier Division resumes tomorrow, expect to see a title race played out mainly in Ayrshire.

Even though Pollok fans are entitled to believe their 10-year wait to don the champions mantle is almost at an end given Tony McInally's marquee signings.

And putting forward the usual suspects of Glenafton, Auchinleck Talbot, Beith and Hurlford United as the main contenders is not in any way intended to be disrespectful to last season’s runners-up Rob Roy.

However, it’s hard not to think the triple blow inflicted by Queen's Park swooping during the summer months to lure away cornerstone defender Kevin Green as well as forward going types Chris Duff and Luke Whelan will see the Rabs struggle to emulate their outstanding 2016/17 feats.

GLENAFTON: The reigning kingpins of Junior football will undoubtedly be afforded a new found respect following their momentous cup and league double triumph after being discounted by all and sundry at this same stage last year.

Craig McEwan and No.2 Craig Potter made the Glens stubborn and difficult to beat in their first term the helm and last time out they crucially added style with a number of shrewd signings that helped their side emerge as the real deal.

Full-back pair Kyle McAusland and Alan Cairns come to mind as players who fit this billing, but there are other unsung heroes in the New Cumnock outfit’s success story with Southy only this week, describing his four strong quartet of forwards …Chris Dallas, Mick McCann, Joe Andrew and John Carter…as the “best strikeforce in Junior football bar none”.

A concern going forward is their continuing involvement in the Scottish Cup proper (they are strongly fancied to dispose of second preliminary round opponents Golspie Sutherland) which might prove an unwanted distraction, but if Glenafton are not left with too much “catching-up” then look for them to be a challenger again.

AUCHINLECK TALBOT: Talbot boss Tommy Sloan opting to reinvigorate his playing hand by bringing on seven new signings makes this campaign arguably the most difficult ever faced by the game’s most successful serving manager.

Particularly as the close season has also heralded the departure of a trio of his playing stalwarts from recent years …Bryan Young, Keir Milliken and Martin McGoldrick.

The gelling together process is helped significantly by three newcomers, .

However it remains to be seen whether any Bot midfielder will be able to grab games by the scruff of the neck as Steven White did in his heyday.

Putting the ball in the net is unlikely to be as much of a thorny issue this time around now that the previous over-dependence on hitman Graham Wilson has been alleviated with the captures of McIlroy, Glasgow and to a lesser extent former Stranraer winger Kemp.

But the need to create openings for this much boosted frontline is an obvious one and only time will tell if Tucker’s recruits are up to the task.

BEITH: Considering that December brings the 43rd and 38th birthdays respectively of twin stoppers Mark McLaughlin and John Sheridan suggests Beith will find it difficult to improve upon last season’s third-placed finish.

But if the physically imposing pair and defensive team-mate Kevin McDonald - a relative baby given he turns 35 next February - can again make light of being well into their golden years then you can bet upon the Mighty being nobody’s soft touches over the 10 months.

Back to middle, Beith were formidable last term with Connor McGlinchey and Nikky Docherty dovetailing brilliantly in the full back positions and Jamie Wilson providing the dig and cover for Paul Frize, Joe Bradley and Div McGowan to be more expressive going forward.

But a cruciate ligament injury befalling star striker Kenny McLean left Archie McPherson and Darren Christie as the main go-to men for goals and it’s probably accurate to say they ran out of steam as the season wore on .

The aforementioned Archie indicating he was moving abroad through work commitments forced team boss Johnny Millar to try and address his side’s perceived dearth of scoring options with the signings of renowned hitman Davie McKenna (Annan Athletic) and Milliken (Auchinleck ).

But no sooner were their names on forms than McPherson’s circumstances changed and he came back into the fold.

Add the always busy Thomas Collins to the mix and Beith look to have a potent attacking threat and if they can deliver then Bellsdale supporters could be in for yet another campaign to savour.

HURLFORD UNITED: The return of playing favourites has fuelled optimism among supporters that Hurlford can improve upon last season’s fifth placing to be one of the leading challengers for title honours .

Burly frontman Ross Robertson (Troon) and Calum Watt (Beith) are back and scoring goals, (particularly the latter named Tiny who will be desperately looking to get on the scoresheet at home to his former Beith team mates tomorrow afternoon).

However, an arguably greater boost is being derived from brothers Glen and Danny Mitchell coming back to Blair Park following a season out of the game through family commitments.

There’s certainly room for the powerful pair’s ultra-competitive streak in gaffer Darren Henderson's team plans which also include making the best use of the abilities of one time Dumbarton skipper Alan Jenkins and skilful winger Dean Agnew.

The search for greater consistency means the close season departure loss of talisman striker Stewart Kean will be sorely felt in front of goal.

But Henderson believes former Kilmarnock ace Mark Roberts will positively thrive in the company of forward line partner Robertson and enigmatic winger Paul “Taz” McKenzie to come up with the scoring goods.

Hurlford need a better season than last time …and it could happen.