AUCHINLECK TALBOT’S transfer listed centre-back Danny Boyle is in line to make a shock return to Beechwood Park on Saturday…as a non-playing member of title rivals Rob Roy’s travelling party.

A transfer deal has been thrashed out between the high flying Super Premier Division pair that will see Boyle return to his erstwhile pastures, however he is unable to participate in the eagerly awaited, top-of-the-table clash because paperwork formalities are not going to be completed until after this weekend.

The Kirkintilloch outfit's audacious eleventh hour signing approach last Friday afternoon acted to dash near neighbours Cumbernauld United’s hopes of recruiting their former stopper to boost their chances of avoiding relegation from the Super First Division.

United had hoped to have Boyle on board in time to play in last Saturday’s home game against Shettleston and club officials had agreed a transfer fee with their Talbot counterparts as well as personal terms with the 27-year-old only for his burning desire to continue playing at the highest level of Junior football to bring about a change of heart after Rabs boss Stewart Maxwell made his signing intentions known.

The defensive lynchpin said: “It will be a funny situation going back down to Auchinleck on the Rob Roy team bus when I’m still a signed Talbot player, however it gives me a chance to say proper goodbyes to a lot of people.

“It’s a terrific club with great supporters and I got on well with all my team-mates but unfortunately the man whose opinion mattered most of all…the manager Tommy Sloan…didn’t take to me as a player.

“I was left bitterly disappointed after being demoted to a substitute role for our recent Scottish Cup win over Luncarty and was again on the bench when we beat Beith the following week, however the writing was most definitely on the wall when Tucker pulled me aside before our league meeting with Pollok to say he was bringing Neil McPherson into the scheme of things which resulted in me dropping out of the squad altogether.

“There was no fall-out as such but to say I was gutted at his decision would be putting it mildly and the very thought of being fourth choice centre-back until the end of season was too much to bear so I asked to be released even though it meant turning my back on the most successful team in the history of Junior football.

“Being subsequently placed on the open to transfer list brought interest from a couple of Super Premier clubs but a move to Cumbernauld and the opportunity to get back playing regularly again seemed the answer to my prayers and I was all set to go there right up until Stewart Maxwell made contact last Friday.

“He was keen as mustard to get me signed and put forward such a great case for rejoining Rob Roy that my mind was made up there and then to go back.

“It helps that many of my former team-mates are still at the club so I should have no problem bedding myself in and though disappointed to be sidelined for this week’s game, I can fully understand Auchinleck's stance given both clubs are competing for the title.”

Rabs gaffer Maxwell insisted: “Danny is someone we want to be at Rob Roy for as long as he likes and his return to the fold is a particularly timely one with Craig Buchanan looking like he will sit out the next 4-6 weeks with ankle ligament damage.

“It would have been nice to have Danny available and with a point to prove going into this week’s game but just having him around the place again has given everyone a lift after the cup defeat by Bonnyrigg.

“The guys know they are capable of so much better than they showed on Saturday because we just never laid a glove on them over the 90 minutes and we need to have a bit more about us down at Beechwood.”

Elsewhere, there is every likelihood of the 2016/17 season’s first title honours being decided on Saturday should Central Second Division frontrunners Glasgow Perthshire avoid defeat when going up against Lanark United (the only side capable of overhauling Shire’s current 45 points total) through at Moor Park.

An exciting head-to-head is promised as the Billy Adams-steered visitors may have handsomely won their last four games on the spin, scoring 17 goals and conceding two in the process.

However, they will be facing the Second Division’s other form horses in a Lanark side unbeaten in the six league outings played since suffering a 3-1 Keppoch Park defeat by the Shire back in early December.

SATURDAY'S FIXTURES

(Kick-offs 2pm)

McBookie.com Super Premier Division: Auchinleck Talbot v Rob Roy, Pollok v Beith.

McBookie.com Super First Division: Blantyre Vics v Petershill, Rutherglen Glencairn v Shettleston, Cumbernauld Utd v Renfrew, Shotts Bon Accord v Clydebank.

McBookie.com Central First Division: Lesmahagow v Thorniewood Utd, St Roch's v Larkhall Thistle, Cambuslang Rangers v Vale of Clyde, Rossvale v Wishaw, Forth Wanderers v Greenock.

McBookie.com Central Second Division: East Kilbride Thistle v Vale of Leven, St Anthony's v Newmains Utd, Lanark Utd v Glasgow Perthshire, Gartcairn v Port Glasgow.

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League: Darvel v Ardeer Thistle.

Central League Cup first round: Ashfield v Benburb, Carluke Rovers v Bellshill Athletic, Neilston v Johnstone Burgh, Yoker Athletic v Kilsyth Rangers.

Second round: Annbank Utd v Maryhill, Royal Albert v Maybole.

Ayrshire Cup first round: Cumnock v Largs Thistle, Girvan v Lugar Boswell, Glenafton v Kilbirnie Ladeside, Hurlford Utd v Kilwinning Rangers, Irvine Meadow v Craigmark, Muirkirk v Whitletts Vics, Kello Rovers v Ardrossan Winton Rovers.