Pollok are on the verge of unveiling two new signings to rescue them from a midfield crisis as their Super First Division campaign kicks off at Greenock today.

Tony McInally has resigned himself to go without engine-room pair Willie Howie and Alan Lindsay for the rest of this season after cruel fortune saw both players fall victim to cruciate ligament injuries this month.

And he has clearly been working behind the scenes to source replacements for the stricken duo after sources in Ayrshire confirmed that Glenafton battler Findlay Frye, who played in their Scottish Junior Cup Final team beaten by Hurlford United in early June, has completed a surprise transfer to the Glasgow cracks only days after reluctantly being put up for sale by Glens gaffer Tommy Bryce.

The acquisition of Frye, who previously played for Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Rob Roy and Irvine Meadow is sure to put a smile on the faces of Lok supporters but not half as much as the news that "one of their own" might also be coming on board in the shape of John Sweeney, following a parting of the ways from Clyde in midweek.

The soon-to-be 27-year-old was a product of Pollok Juveniles and previously broke into the Newlandsfield line-up under former boss Rab Sneddon prior to signing for then Clyde gaffer Stuart Miller in 2010.

He has established himself as almost an ever-present during his four-year Senior stint and his release along with that of striker Pat Scullion came as something of a shock even though terracing whispers alleged he was offered as a makeweight in a Clyde transfer approach for a seasoned midfielder currently playing in the Juniors with an Ayrshire- based side.

Lok boss McInally steadfastly refused to confirm Sweeney's capture but hinted strongly at new faces being paraded at Ravenscraig Stadium today.

He said: "Factor into the dressing-room equation that Carlo Monti has shipped out to Malta and we are three players down from where we started off the season, so our need for reinforcements is not so much pressing as an imperative.

"And our experimental Euroscot Eng section displays have revealed our squad lacks numbers but is also short of the desired quality if we want Pollok to be up among the promotion challengers.

"Supporters at this club don't settle for second-best and neither do I so moves have been made as you already know with Findlay coming this week, but several others are in the offing which I'm reasonably confident will become confirmed deals in the very near future.

"Whether that means any more arrivals will be on show against Greenock will only be revealed closer to kick-off time because the last thing I am going to do is give Greenock manager Marty Campbell, who was a team-mate of mine at Benburb, any indication of how we will line up."

One of Macca's targets might be former Giffnock North defender Craig Buchanan who has allegedly walked away from Irvine Meadow. There is cause to believe another Clyde midfielder, Giuseppe Capuano, is on his shopping list but the smart money is on Sweeney.

Another ambitious Super First Division outfit embroiled in some wheeling and dealing are Shettleston, whose ranks have been suitably boosted for today's trip into Ayrshire to face reigning Ayrshire District League champions Irvine Vics.

Town boss Hugh Kelly fixed up skilful midfielder Bob Campbell from Neilston as well as recent Kilbirnie Ladeside prospect Andy Blair in midweek and has followed up those moves by persuading midfielder Gordon Dick, who numbers Rangers among his former clubs, to appear as a trialist at Victoria Park.

Kelly said: "We have toiled of late as a direct result of not having enough bodies so hopefully the new guys will make a difference.

"It's ironic that Gary Miller and Chris Cairney have left the club after growing unhappy at not playing enough games because we have as many as six players - Chrissy McCormick, Ryan McCrone, Ryan Scott, Robbie Jenner, Rikky McIntosh and Brian McEwan - with no chance of taking part against Irvine Vics because of injuries and other commitments.

"And only time will tell if Reon Juskowiack will be in his normal defensive position as nobody has seen him since his wife gave birth to their first child 10 days ago.

"We've worked our socks off closed-season to be ready for the off so it's unfortunate to find ourselves in this depleted predicament but I'm sure the players we have available can give a good account of themselves."

Two sides to have started the season impressively, Cumbernauld United and Maybole, meet at Guy's Meadow, while as intriguing is the Brig O' Lea clash of Neilston and Ardeer Thistle, who this week had manager and ex-Kilmarnock striker Derek Cook and his backroom team of Jim Allan and Craig Hamilton tender resignations.