AUCHINLECK TALBOT boss Tommy Sloan is facing a selection dilemma ahead of today's Dyslexia Scotland Junior Cup semi-final first leg against holders Hurlford United at Blair Park.

The Townhead Park gaffer has to decide whether to stand by young guns Mark Shankland, Willie Boyd, Lee Cochrane and Declan Lavan - who all featured in the 4-1 quarter-final victory at Shettleston - should keep their places at the expense of Steven White, Martin McGoldrick, Graham Wilson, Bryan Young as well as listed substitute Colin Spence.

It would have been unthinkable in previous seasons to contemplate going into a crunch Scottish Cup encounter without the experienced quintet, but Sloan refused to give anything away as to his team selection.

He said: "Nothing else matters other than picking an Auchinleck Talbot team capable of winning this cup-tie. Nobody can claim to being the underdog in this one, and I believe getting our strongest possible eleven on the pitch is a must considering there is precious little to choose between Hurlford and us.

"Like ourselves, they are in good form of late, so how the teams set up will undoubtedly be a determining factor in the outcome.

"In that respect, I have to be prepared to make decisions that players who are left out will find difficult to understand, but that has been the way of things in football for as long as I can remember.

"And it has to be remembered that every game is different, so next week it might be their time to get the nod."

The game is coming too soon for tenacious midfield battler White and top-scoring marksman Wilson as they battle back to fitness from lengthy injury absences, however the outlook looks brighter for McGoldrick, Young and Dwayne Hyslop after the trio returned to the fray in last weekend's 1-0 defeat of Cumnock.

Tucker added: "It was pleasing to get a few bodies back and the guys did well in respect of showing their match readiness, so I was pleased with their efforts even though I now have things to mull over.

"The players are aware there are tough calls to be made, so there's been no shortage of light-hearted advice flying in my direction out on the training ground."

He continued: "Clearly, there are few secrets between the teams and I could probably name 12/13 players from which will come Darren Henderson's starting line-up, and he could do the same with us.

"Consistency of selection tends to be the hallmark of good sides, but we might just have an ace up our sleeve in young Shankland, who is a relative newcomer and a revelation in his outings up to now, while I imagine Darren will not hesitate to give us something new to ponder.

"He will start with all the usual suspects, but I would not bet against his latest striker signing, Ryan Donnelly (on loan from Ayr United), being unveiled at some point."

Considered a near automatic pick by Talbot followers is 37-year-old centre-back Mark Campbell, who must have thought his dreams of Junior Cup glory had eluded him when he was given a token 20-minute appearance as an Irvine Meadow substitute in last season's semi-final defeat by Hurlford.

Fitness instructor Sparky is much happier with his role as one of the central figures in Talbot's bid for an 11th success in the game's showpiece competition.

He said: "My current circumstances are far removed from that first semi-final game at Meadow Park which was exactly a year ago today.

"Hurlford edged things and came out on top over the two legs, but I'd imagine they would have thought their chances of beating Talbot would have been better in a 90-minute final rather than two games.

"It's comforting to know we have them coming to Beechwood Park next week and, for that reason, I see us keeping things tight and playing safety-first football to keep the tie alive.

"Darren has quality forward players in Paul McKenzie and Ross Robertson, while my former Ayr team-mate, Stewart Kean, is showing he has lost none of his sharpness in front of goal and will need to be closely watched.

"He and I shared some great times together, but our old pals' act goes out the window for today's game, just as it does every time we have faced each other.

"The last occasion was earlier this season when Auchinleck came out on top 1-0 at Blair Park, but it took a Graham Wilson penalty to separate the sides then and I fancy things will be every bit as tight again."