MARK CAMPBELL faces one of the biggest calls of his long and accomplished career if he is to line-up for Auchinleck Talbot in today's crunch Stagecoach Super Premier Division decider against Hurlford United.

The 37-year-old veteran has enjoyed a truly outstanding season at the heart of Talbot's defence, and his inspirational qualities were missed last weekend when a niggling Achilles tendon problem kept him sidelined for his side's 0-0 draw at Kilbirnie Ladeside.

Dropping two points has now left Tommy Sloan's men awaiting the visit of nearest challengers Hurlford knowing anything other than a defeat will clinch a magnificent third consecutive title success, so Sparky is understandably determined to make today's Beechwood Park line-up.

However, his injury has not totally cleared up and he may run the risk of aggravating it further and possibly missing out on the Dyslexia Scotland Junior Cup final showpiece with Musselburgh Athletic a fortnight tomorrow at Rugby Park.

He said: "I've been nursing my injury all week and there's definitely been a slight improvement, but looks like I may need an injection to get through the game.

"The fact our Scottish game is a couple of weeks away is at the back of my mind, but right now my only focus is on getting the better of Hurlford and winning the cham-pionship. It has been a long, hard slog to get to this final make-or-break game and I don't want to miss it."

Word on the team front reckons another cornerstone, Talbot full-back Willie Lyle, is in line to make his comeback today after coming through a couple of stiff training sessions this week to prove his recovery from a hamstring strain that has kept him out of action in recent weeks.

And his return to the fray may prove a godsend as his deputy James Latta is struggling with an ankle problem.

Defeat would not necessarily spell disaster for Auchinleck given that Hurlford would still need to win their final two league matches - at home to Troon and Shotts Bon Accord - in order to claim pole position, and there is every likelihood of the Blair Park outfit fluffing their lines when one considers the selection woes facing gaffer Darren Henderson.

He said: "It won't be a case of us putting out a line-up today as much as naming a list of walking wounded. Danny Mitchell is a definite non-starter because of a thigh muscle strain and I've been forced to rule out Neil McGregor, who has walked out on the club claiming he cannot commit time to football any more.

"It's a major disappointment that he cannot help us out at this stage of the season when we have an injury crisis on our hands with David McClune, Ross Robertson and Ryan Donnely facing last- minute fitness tests on top of Paul Byrne, Paul Cameron and Chris Robertson being less than fully fit after picking up knocks in our demanding schedule of matches.

"All our worst fears have come home to roost for what is a must-win clash and I may even have to consider pulling on a strip myself to make up the numbers.

"And were the players to somehow get a victory then we are still up against it with a programme requiring us to play three games in six days over the coming week."

Hendo admitted: "Regardless of the outcome today, the players deserve every credit going for maintaining our title challenge and their magnificent return of 37 points from a possible 39 would have seen us crowned champions were it not for having to compete with this remarkably consistent Auchinleck team.

"We won't be offering up excuses if things go against us because the honours go to the best team over 22 matches and not just 90 minutes."

Must-wiN contests are also on the menu for Super First Division pair Shettleston and Rob Roy, who are facing home games against Yoker and Maybole respectively in their head-to-head for the remaining automatic promotion place.

And the Central First Division title race has Bellshill seeking to pick up three points in their final match against Benburb as Brian McGinty's side look to stretch their lead over second-placed Blantyre Vics and post a seven points target for the Vics to try and overhaul when playing their remaining three fixtures in the coming week.