WEST Region champions Auchinleck Talbot have a looming defensive crisis ahead of stepping up their pre-season preparations with a trip to meet East Region top dogs Bo'ness United today.

Defensive mainstay Martin McGoldrick broke a metatarsal bone during last Wednesday night's shock 3-1 friendly defeat to Ardeer Thistle and is facing up to six weeks on the sidelines.

The 27-year-old is resigned to sitting out his side's entire programme of Ardagh Glass Sectional games as well as the Scottish Cup Preliminary Round joust against St Cuthberts, and Talbot's flag-unveiling home clash against Beith which kicks off the defence of their Super Premier Division crown.

Talbot boss Tommy Sloan might be excused for thinking "it never rains but it pours" given his back line is still in the process of adjusting to being shorn of centre-back stalwart after the mercurial Craig Pettigrew stepped up to the Senior ranks at Stranraer in the close season.

But arguably of greater concern to Tucker is the fact McGoldrick's broken foot is the third time the commanding stopper has had this type of injury in recent seasons - albeit the other breaks were to his right foot.

Even the player admits to being a tad apprehensive over his recurring misfortune.

He revealed: "Normally a broken bone is the result of an impact but Wednesday night's injury came about when I did nothing more than change direction while running for the ball, and that's exactly what occurred in the previous instances.

"I'd be telling a lie to say it isn't preying on my mind that I might have a weakness in the bone-structure of my feet but until doctors get around to establishing the facts with a few tests I just need to get on with things.

"It's just unfortunate bad luck that I now have to miss a whole string of games starting today at Bo'ness, where I was so hoping to help Talbot avenge last season's Scottish Cup defeat up there.

"For that very reason I had come back from holiday last Monday and crammed in a training session to get myself into a state of readiness to play against Ardeer in order to pick up some match fitness.

"Just over an hour was my lot and this latest setback is so disappointing personally because I had hoped to get a run in the team in my preferred position as sweeper rather than as an outright ball-winner like I have alongside Petty in recent seasons."

McGoldrick's tale of putting himself out to take part in the Ardeer Thistle game was topped by vastly experienced new centreback Mark Campbell, who flew in from Canada on ­Wednesday morning and put in a shift at his day job before driving through in time to make a second-half appearance at the Ardeer Stadium.

THE 36-year-old said: "Pre-season games are all about a gradual build up to full fitness but the rivalry between Auchinleck and Bo'ness United has fired up the players and we are all going the extra mile to prove we should play in the game.

"Martin's injury is a blow not least because he possesses terrific recovery pace and it is intriguing to think who will cover for him as we have a number of defensive options.

"The guys tell me that Tucker has used Dwayne Hyslop previously while Ally Park can step inside from the left side, but the boss also favours using Steven White though his battling ­midfield qualities might be needed against a team like Bo'ness. The likelihood is we will take a good support through east so all the more reason for us wanting to put on a decent performance."

Meanwhile, word has it the former Shotts Bon Accord duo of goalkeeper Willie Muir and versatile defender Bryan Wharton, in training as trialists with Queen's Park during the close season, have made enough of a good impression to be awarded playing contracts by Spiders boss Gus McPherson.

And finally, a mix-up in dates causing Vale of Clyde to pull out of next Wednesday's friendly encounter away to Irvine Meadow has forced Vale to seek alternative opposition from Greenock who will now visit Meadow Park for a 7.15pm kick-off.