ST MIRREN are calling ...

and now the Super Premier showdown between Petershill and Irvine Meadow on Saturday could help decide which wing ace gets to answer the call.

Lining up for Peasy is 22-year-old Mark Lamont, who had a spell on the Saints books earlier in his career, but is reported to be a signing target for Gary Teale after coming off the bench to feature for the Buddies in their 2-0 friendly defeat by New York City at the Manchester City Academy.

However, every bit as keen to stake his claim for a wing berth with the Premiership outfit is Meadow's talented flank ace Gary McCann, who has been in training with the St Mirren full-timers this week hard on the heels of a similar stint with Hamilton Accies.

And Petershill boss Willie Patterson did not hesitate in backing the jet-paced Lamont to earn a second-time-around step up to the Seniors.

He insisted: "I don't want to lose Mark, but there's no disguising the fact he has been an absolute standout for us this season.

"And he carried his good form into the game against New York with several trademark runs down the wing and crosses into the box which unfortunately found no takers.

"That's been much the way of things with ourselves, however I'm hopeful our loan signing of Michael Daly from Clyde will provide us with a competitive aerial outlet for Mark's wing play.

"Both he and Gary McCann can be unplayable when in the mood, so if they are extra motivated to try and outdo each other on Saturday then spectators will be in for a treat."

Patterson admits to feeling frustrated at the wintry weather of the past month severely restricting the playing opportunities afforded to another loan signing, Dominic O'Halloran, who has gone back to Cumbernauld United.

The gaffer added: "Trying to make a judgement on the lad when he's short of match practice has been impossible and it's for the best if he gets back playing regularly with his club and we can look at him again.

"The one bright aspect of the lay-off is our injury concerns clearing up and we will have a full squad to choose from for facing Medda, other than Liam Finnigan, who remains on the open-to-transfer list despite approaches coming in from Auchinleck and Shotts.

"I convinced myself he would jump at the chance to move to Talbot, particularly as he isn't cup-tied, but for whatever reason, he has decided to stay put."

Super Premier front-runners Meadow are seeking a twelfth win in 15 league starts to stretch their lead a top the pile to 10 points given nearest challengers Auchinleck and Hurlford United are both on Scottish Cup duty.

Ayrshire gaffer Stevie Rankin admitted: "The postponements in recent weeks has allowed Chris Hall to make a full recovery from his hamstring injury and he will figure in our thoughts.

"And the other good news is the return to training of Paul Maxwell, helped no end by work commitments taking him to the Philippines where he was able to work out in the sunny climate and he is not far away from a comeback.

"We are keen to have as many striking options against the Peasy, who are very strong defensively as they demonstrated at Meadow Park when it took a stoppage-time goal from Gary McCann to clinch a 1-0 victory."

Rankin added: "I knew from the moment Gary came to Ashfield as a 17-year-old from Arsenal Boys' Club that we had unearthed a special talent and I'm still of that opinion five years later.

"Everyone at the club is pleased for him but, at the same time, I want him to leave on a high during the close season and with a league championship medal around his neck because it's arguable if any player on our books deserves it more as he has been in magnificent form. "The lad Lamont is a similar type who is always wanting to take his opponent on, and it promises to be a fascinating match-up between the pair of them."

Meanwhile, Kilbirnie, who face Glenafton, are planning to hold a minute's silence ahead of the Valefield contest following the death of goalkeeping legend Tom McQueen (father of Scotland and Manchester United stopper Gordon and SJFA assistant secretary Iain), who was famously between the posts when the Blasties were crowned Scottish Junior Cup kings in 1952 with a 1-0 defeat of Camelon.