Not many inside the Ayrshire camp is fearing the prospect of New Coin Holdings Cup holders Medda beginning their defence with a trip lowly Central Second Division outfit Newmains United.

Yet it would be somewhat understandable if anxiety prevailed ahead of their fourth consecutive game on the road – given Medda have been defeated in all of their three previous outings.

And 32-year-old striker Hughes might be feeling a tad more trepidation than most as he is in line to make his first start since a knee ligaments injury forced him to limp off only minutes into last season's New Coin Cup final victory over Ashfield.

He said: "It was a major disappointment to lose out against Queen's Park but what's gone is gone.

"If we concentrate fully on ending this run of bad results with a victory over Newmains, and serve up a good performance, we can send our fans home happy for a change.

"No doubt we will be rated favourites so the onus is on us to be positive and I'm sure we can win this one."

The enforced absence of Richie Barr and Robert Halliday on Scotland Juniors duty, on top of Tom Brighton still some way short of full fitness in recovering from an ankle problem, has supporters tipping Hughes to form an attacking spearhead alongside ex-Partick Thistle signing Kieran Burns.

He added: "Last season was a bit stop-start for me because of various injuries.

"We've brought in new front men in Kieran and Tomwhich makes for some very intense competition for the jerseys so when you get the chance to play in the team you have to grasp it with both hands."

Meanwhile, Clydebank have moved to strengthen their squad with the signings of Under21 striker Dale Clark as well as defender Ryan Kelly who was on the books of Shotts last season .

And there's a surprise departure at high-flying Super First Division side Rutherglen Glencairn where popular veteran keeper Alan Colquhoun has been released at his own request after growing disenchanted at losing his No.1 place to Kevin Montgomery.