PAUL MAXWELL has welcomed the news that a serious knee injury is set to keep him out of playing for Irvine Meadow for months.

But that's only because the hospital diagnosis is nowhere near as bad as was first feared in the aftermath of the striker landing awkwardly in a recent Ardagh Glass Cup encounter with Kilbirnie Ladeside.

The 30-year-old frontman recalled: "All I did was jump for a ball but, on landing, my knee took an odd twist and I had to limp to the touchline.

"Our physio wanted me to come off straight away but I was keen to continue playing.

"However, as soon as I ran back on to the pitch I knew something was badly wrong because my knee was giving out from under me.

"I was taken to hospital and ended up on crutches with a full-length splint to support my knee and keep it straight.

"Cruciate ligament damage was one of the possibilities that was initially mentioned by the medics.

"When I was going back to see the specialist this week, I was fearing the worst. So it was actually a boost to hear him say he believed there was a severe twist, but not any rupture or tear to the cruciate, and I could be back playing before Christmas.

"I face a lengthy recovery period and plenty of sessions on the treatment table but Chrissy Hall went through all that last season and he has bounced back superbly well."

It was Hall who took Maxi's place in the Medda forward line against Troon last Saturday and he capitalised on the opportunity, netting a hat-trick in a 5-0 victory.

The crocked hitman added: "Apart from his goals, Chrissy tormented Troon's defenders from first whistle to last. If he keeps up that level of performance, I won't be missed."

Meadow boss Stevie Rankin is reluctant to put a timeframe on Maxi's recovery.

He said: "The big guy is a hugely important player for us and we all want him back playing as soon as possible.

"The club will put him through an MRI scan soon to establish the full extent of his injury. Until then he is not out of the woods.

"However, so far the prognosis on his knee is encouraging, both for him and us."

With Auchinleck Talbot and Hurlford United competing in the William Hill Scottish Cup this weekend, joint-leaders Medda can go top of the Super Premier Division.

But that will be far from an easy task, as they will have to return from Clydebank with at least a point.

ON THE transfer scene, Super First Division outfit Rob Roy have strengthened their squad with a double signing swoop.

The Kirkintilloch side have welcomed former Albion Rovers midfielder Ryan Tiffney and versatile ex-Petershill and Rutherglen Glencairn defender Davie Barr.

Glens boss Willie Harvey has continued to make signing moves of his own after fixing up a third newcomer inside the past week with the capture of Paul Thomson from Cumbernauld United.

The experienced midfielder had played previously for the Rutherglen club under Willie Patterson and Scott Smith.

And ambitious Cambuslang Rangers have acquired the services of former Junior Scotland striker Gordon Herd.

The veteran frontman won two Scottish Junior Cups in a 10-year stint with Linlithgow.

Herd's move comes only days after Rose hosted a testimonial match for him against a team of Heart of Midlothian legends at Prestonfield.

And fans of the Junior game can enjoy another helping of nostalgia on Sunday at the Brig O' Lea in Neilston, which is hosting a Legends tournament for the first time.

The event will raise funds for deserving charities such as The Brightest Star, Macmillan Cancer Support and Sands.

Former players of Neilston, Arthurlie, Pollok and a Vagabonds Select are taking part in the mini-tournament, which will feature 15-minute games.

The squad of old favourites from home team Neilston will include Brian Hewitt, Andy Whiteford, Alan Waddell, Denis Connaghan and Sammy Johnston while Arthurlie will be represented by former stars Stuart Allison, Ged Gardiner, Roland Fabiani, Alan Jack and Stevie Convery.

Bryan Dingwall, Kevin O'Neil, John Paisley, Stevie Aitchison and Frank Haggerty are among those who will pull on Pollok shirts again.

The striking trio of Stevie Mallan, Brian Johnston and Stevie Dallas are just some of the illustrious names who will play for the Vagabonds.

The fun kicks off at 1pm. Entry is £5, while kids under 10 will be admitted for free.