POLLOK boss Tony McInally is refusing to rule out an 11th-hour bid to re-sign former fans favourite Carlo Monti ahead of tomorrow's Scottish Junior Cup fourth round replay encounter away to Penicuik Athletic.

Slim at best probably sums up the likelihood of the striker making a quickfire return to the Pollok ranks he only left last close season when Dundee's John Brown recruited him for his Scottish Championship side.

However, Macca was totally non-committal in his response to being asked about Monti in the wake of whispers insisting players from Dundee, Partick Thistle and Airdrie have trained with the Newlandsfield club this week.

Evening Times sources have recently revealed Dundee's left-sided midfielder Gary Duggan, who previously played for Queens Park and has represented Scotland at Under-16 level, as one of a trio of Dens Park players interesting the Pollok manager.

And reports also reckon striker Gerry O'Donnell, freed by Partick Thistle this month and loaned out to Maryhill earlier this season, is another hoping to attract a contract offer, along with teenage midfielder Jamie Barclay, who was previously on Airdrie's books.

Macca recently recruited midfielder Davie Sinclair and goalkeeper Andy Duncan from Airdrie.

He said: "It's no big secret that we have been actively running the rule over a number of Senior and Junior players in our attempts to strengthen playing resources.

"Some have impressed more than others and not everyone will be coming on board so it's only right and proper that we do not disclose any names until pen is put to paper on signing deals.

"We are hopeful of doing ­business before the weekend - but no more than that."

Macca was less guarded when reflecting on the training-ground work put in by his playing charges in preparation for the Penicuik tie.

He said: "Hand on heart, I can say the guys are fitter, sharper and more attuned to what myself and the coaching staff want from them.

"They have shown a work ethic and spirit that has been nothing short of terrific and I sense they are desperate to get that first win on the board for us...hopefully it can come around on Saturday."

The ever-articulate gaffer's further revelation that Brian McGinty has signed for Bellshill Athletic prompted a call to the former player/ assistant manager.

McGinty revealed: "I'm very flattered at my age to say that a number of clubs have been on my case trying to get me on board.

"Robert Downs invited me down to Bellshill's training this week and I was very impressed with both the set-up and what he, Stevie Aitchison and Harry Erwin had to say over their plans for the future.

"People might think it a backward step to drop down a couple of divisions, but this is a club that is going places and I hope to help them get there."

It is always good to hear of rival clubs co-operating, which is certainly true in the case of Cumnock and Irvine Meadow after earlier this week ­deciding to switch tomorrow's Super Premier Division clash to Meadow Park.

The fixture was originally scheduled to be Cumnock's home game, but Townhead Park was looking barely playable even before the adverse weather conditions predicted for today.

As a result both clubs agreed in midweek it would be best to switch venue and look to keep players ticking over ahead of forthcoming Scottish Junior Cup fifth-round contests in a fortnight's time.

Cumnock will be best pleased at their Ayrshire rivals accommodating the switch request as Brian McLuckie's men have been harder hit than most by weather-enforced postponements since the turn of the year.

They have managed just one competitive outing in January - their 4-1 Scottish Cup triumph over Neilston.

Also hoping to beat the elements are Kilbirnie Ladeside, whose hosting of Glenafton has added spice.

Ex-Blasties duo Alan Kinney and Stevie Miller line up in the visiting ranks and Glens boss Tommy Bryce is making a first return to Valefield where he previously occupied the manager's chair for nearly 10 years.

SATURDAY JUNIORS

Kick-offs 1.45pm

Scottish Junior Cup. Fourth round: Girvan v Glencairn, Dalry v Cumbernauld. Replays: Dunbar v Shotts, Penicuick v Pollok.

Stagecoach Super Premier: Kilbirnie v Glenafton, Rob Roy v Petershill, Cumnock v Irvine Meadow.

Super First: Maybole v Thorniewood, Troon v Lesmahagow.

Central First: St Anthony's v Benburb, Bellshill v Maryhill, Lanark v Shettleston, Perthshire v Carluke.

Central Second: Rossvale v Port Glasgow, Newmains v Vale of Clyde, East Kilbride v Wishaw, Royal Albert v St Roch's.

Ayrshire District: Saltcoats v Irvine Vics, Kello v Whitletts, Lugar v Annbank, Darvel v Craigmark, Ardeer v Ardrossan.

New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup. Second round: Blantyre Vics v Hurlford, Muirkirk v Cambuslang, Vale of Leven v Ashfield, Dunipace v Greenock, Clydebank v Auchinleck, Arthurlie v Kilsyth, Neilston v Yoker, Renfrew v Johnstone Burgh.