IRVINE MEADOW hope to have averted a potential midfield crisis with the signing of Junior internationalist Stephen Docherty from Bathgate Thistle.

Boss Chris Strain admitted as much today when revealing he will be without his regular engine room pairing of Davie Hamilton and Mark Crilly for a crunch run of games this month.

And few can argue with this way of thinking given the next three Saturdays has his team's Citylink Scottish Junior Cup fourth round clash with Maryhill sandwiched between make-or-break Super Premier encounters against Pollok and Rob Roy.

The Medda gaffer said: "Davie has gone out to visit relatives in Australia and will not be returning until later this month while Mark has been on the treatment table since our last outing against Arthurlie with a knee injury.

"Losing one quality midfielder is a blow, but losing two at the same time landed us with a real headache, therefore the opportunity to bring in a highly influential type like Doc was just too good to be missed.

"He could well turn out to be a terrific signing and the fact he is not cup-tied in the Scottish is a real bonus."

He added: "Doc was out injured earlier in the season and has not played many games, however his is a very impressive pedigree and he is every manager's dream on account of his versatility.

"He is probably best known as a middle-of-the-park battler, but Bathgate used him as a striker in last season's Citylink Cup Final win and it's not that long ago he was turning out at right-back for Partick Thistle."

Turning his attention to this Saturday's clash with champions Pollok brought a wry smile from Strain.

He went on: "Why so many people in the game have written us off as title no-hopers is beyond me because nobody at Meadow Park is for giving up the chase.

"And why should we when winning our games in hand would see us move to within a point leaders Petershill?

"Pollok are probably in the strongest position, but all it takes is for us to beat them at Newlands-field to put a different slant on things.

"And, if we can close the gap between us to a few points there is everything to play for, particularly as we are a team who will only get better once the grounds firm up."

Home supporters will feel even more upbeat in light of their former playing favourite Hamilton's absence, however Strain reckons his remaining quartet of ex-Lok players, Zander Ryan, Gavin Friels, Paul Hyslop and Frank Haggerty, could have a massive say in the Newlandsfield outcome.

"Zander has stiffened up our defence since dropping into a full-back role while Gavin remains one of the best penalty box finishers.

"It's the same with Hissy, who has probably only looked the part in bits and pieces since joining us, but maybe having a point to prove will provide the spark that will see him turn on the style.

"Frankie is still battling his way back to full fitness, but is looking stronger by the day and right now I would have no hesitation about throwing him in ."

John-Paul Boyle's winning goal in the 1-0 defeat over Arthurlie looks like earning him a starting jersey ahead of ex-Senior pair Brian McGinty and Andy McLaren, even though the front man will soon be heading back to the US.