Tony McInally faces the dilemma of whether to stick with a winning team or to bring back Carlo Monti to bolster Pollok's attacking options as they go all out to extend their unbeaten run to six matches against Arthurlie tonight.

The former Dundee, Morton and Celtic signing could well go straight into Lok's squad heading through to Dunterlie for what might prove to be the only head-to-head between the arch-rivals this season.

But he only flew back into Scotland this morning after being posted missing for the Southside outfit's Euroscot Eng Cup 1-0 weekend victory over Neilston through him taking part in trials with a First Division club in Malta from where unconfirmed reports have him penning a deal to join Zebbug Rangers FC.

Macca revealed: "I believe there are as many as four or five clubs interested in signing Carlo, which is only to be expected given he's such a marvellous talent.

"Ideally, we'd love to keep him at Newlandsfield where the supporters adore him, but all along we have known it was a massive risk bringing someone of his calibre back here and putting him in the shop window.

"And, yes, the gamble looks as if it might well backfire on us if it hasn't already. But until Carlo tells me himself that he's off, then the main thing is Pollok have got him now ahead of going into this derby against our biggest rivals.

"He's a matchwinner who can score special goals that change games, and everybody in our dressing room will be desperate to play alongside him."

Macca owns up to having a couple of injury concerns delaying his team selection until closer to kick-off time, one of whom is midfield warhorse Willie Howie, who had to come off early against Neilston after jarring a knee.

The Lok boss added: "Willie's injury looked a bad one at the time. However, he was able to walk away unaided after Saturday's game and was understandably stiff and sore on Sunday, but not to the extent of ruling himself out of facing Arthurlie.

"We'll give him every opportunity to declare himself fit, but no risks will be taken becaue this is not the same Arthurlie side that were on the wane along with ourselves at the bottom end of the table last season.

"Gavin Duncan has signed up a number of top-notch players in going about a terrific rebuilding job and I can envisage them emerging as a top Super Premier Division force once more.

"I've heard it said there's been a changing of the guard on account of Pollok and Arthurlie suffering such a severe downturn in fortunes last time out, but both clubs have bounced back from adversity in the past and I reckon not many people would confidently bet against them doing so again."

Tom Hanlon, red-carded against Neilston for what Macca refers to as "an ill-timed challenge and nothing more" is available for selection because his automatic three-game suspension does not kick in until Friday.

However, it should be pointed out that the exact same good fortune is enjoyed by Barrhead pair Paul Stewart and Rhys Devlin following their dismissals in the Lie's 2-1 weekend defeat of Benburb.

A definite non-starter in the visiting ranks is former Cumbernauld United full-back Craig Borland - a summer signing - but released earlier this week because of his pressing work commitments.

The door closing on him has opened up for winger Ryan McBeth, formerly of Clyde, whose string of impressive pre-season showings has sealed a contract offer from McInally.