AUCHINLECK Talbot star Martin McGoldrick is breathing a sigh of relief after it emerged that he may not have suffered a repeat of his broken foot.

It came to light on Saturday that defensive cornerstone Martin would not have featured in the postponed Emirates Scottish Junior Cup tie against Petershill because he had injured himself in a freak training ground accident last Thursday night.

It was feared he had fractured the limb for the second time this season and a spell of up to eight weeks on the sidelines was predicted for the 25-year-old.

However, he now has high hopes of a much earlier return to action.

He said: "Originally I broke my foot in a game against Pollok this season and it may be a case that this latest injury may be nothing more than a heavy knock right on the spot of the original fracture.

"Truth is, I've only myself to blame because at Talbot we train as we play and my injury came about from putting in a strong challenge on Butch (Bryan Young) during our session last Thursday.

"My knock was a sore one and right away I feared the worst even though initial hospital X-rays could not tell whether I had suffered a new fracture or just an aggravation of the original one.

"It was a great boost when they opted to fit me with a 'moon boot' rather than put my foot in plaster and over the past couple of days I've been relatively pain-free, so I'm of the mind to get back training sooner rather than later.

"I'll be guided by our physiotherapist in but I'm thinking my absence might be two-three weeks away at worst whereas my initial thoughts were to rule myself out for at least a couple of months."

A number of postponements causing inactivity on the pitch last weekend was not matched by a plethora of transfer wheelings and dealings off it.

It was a case of one in and one out at Rob Roy who snapped up young Albion Rovers striking prospect Jason Crooks and then offloaded Scott Adam to his former club, Ardrossan Winton Rovers.

Former Rabs stopper Jackson O'Hackam figured as a substitute for Kilbirnie Ladeside in a 2-2 draw against Whitletts Vics that sparked Blastie co-management duo Stevie Swift and Mark Crilly into signing up speedy winger Chris Hamilton from Bo'ness United.

Meanwhile, Ayrshire District table-toppers Kilwinning Rangers fixed up their former full-back David 'Harpo' Smith from Cumnock while Petershill striker Joe Barclay similarly opted for a return to former pastures in putting pen to paper for Kilsyth Rangers.