POLLOK’S classy full-back Mark Sideserf is someone who needs no reminding of the goalscoring threat posed by Rob Roy hitman Willie Sawyers.

The duo were once team-mates as Scottish Juvenile Cup winners with Harmony Row Under'21s and they went on to pair up again in the Juniors with both Maryhill and Irvine Meadow, so it’s a cause of concern for Sidey to learn Sawyers is determined to get back to what he does best for the Kirkintilloch outfit ahead of their visit to Newlandsfield for a vital Super Premier Division clash.

The bustling frontman's return to the Rabs side following a 14-week injury absence has seen him fail to find the net in Scottish Junior Cup outings against Musselburgh Athletic and Penicuik Athletic, however Sideserf reckons his close friend will only be extra-motivated to break his “mini scoring duck “on Saturday.

And it’s only rubbing salt in the wounds that the defensive mainstay is set to miss the locking of horns with the current league leaders after suffering ankle ligament damage in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Kilbirnie Ladeside.

He insisted: “Willie can be absolute dynamite in and around penalty boxes. He really caught fire at Maryhill, bagging over 40 goals in one season and earning a step-up to Clyde.

“He also did well at the Medda though without hitting those same heights and it’s no surprise to myself that he’s since established himself as the main man in two spells at Rob Roy either side of a disappointing stint by his own standards at Pollok, where he was forced to play second fiddle to Carlo Monti .

“He’s not blessed with frightening pace to run in behind you but Willie is a really awkward customer to mark because he has the knack of rolling defenders if they get too close and once turned and facing the goal then you can bet on him always hitting target.

“ Even when only 70% fit he can be a handful and we need to be on our guard on Saturday because he rarely if ever goes three games without a goal.”

Sideserf's likely absence was caused by him taking a sore knock when blocking a shot from Blasties winger Ciaran McElroy but there is better news on the injury front for the Southside club’s supporters as wing ace Gary McCann has recovered from a virus while midfielder Colin Williamson resumed training this week after sitting out three games with an ankle problem.

Lok boss Tony McInally admitted: “ Gary and Colin are champing at the bit to play and we haven’t totally ruled out Sidey even if he’s extremely doubtful at this stage .

“Going up against Rob Roy has the makings of a good contest not least because they have their sights set on nailing one of the game’s big prizes this season and will see the taking of our scalp as furthering their cause.”

30 year old hitman Sawyers is looking forward to going back to one of his former stamping grounds .

He insisted ,”I’ve crammed in a lot of game time since returning to the scene with 80 minutes against Musselburgh and 90 against Penicuik probably more minutes than I’d anticipated at this stage.

“But I’m feeling no ill-effects other than a stiffness in muscle areas around my torn thigh and all I’m needing now is to work on regaining my sharpness which everyone knows only comes from playing games rather than extra gym work.

“Getting back that little half yard might even see me outrunning Sidey to the ball on Saturday.”

The realisation that yet another former Irvine Meadow team mate, Grant Evans is in line to feature in a Pollok backline along with Chris Walker and Paul Gallagher had Sawyers reflecting: “Grant is a top bloke and a cracking defender who never really got the credit he deserved at Meadow Park. However that is one physical brute of a back three if he is teamed up with big Chris and Gal.

“Nevertheless, I’m feeling fairly confident this Rob Roy team have nothing to fear even though I’ve never known there to be anything other than a tough 90 minutes for any visitor to Newlandsfield and more so because Tony Mac will have his players fired up to avenge their two defeats against us earlier in the season.

“For my own part, I’ve nothing to prove to anyone going back there and all my focus is on helping Rob Roy pick up the three points on offer.”

Visiting gaffer Stewart Maxwell revealed: “We have a few niggling injury concerns after a very bruising Cup tie through at Penicuik but that’s a small price to pay for a great performance.

“Sawyers wasn’t on the scoresheet but I thought he was excellent in the game and on another day he could have ended up with a hat-trick, so hopefully he’s kept his goals for his return to Pollok..

“I’ve heard people say Pollok have nothing to play for as they cannot win the title and cannot be relegated but we are under no illusions that they will be going all out to prove a point by turning us over at their place.”

Rob Roy followers have another big day looming on Tuesday when the Peter and Roughie Football Show hosts the draw for the Scottish Junior Cup quarter-finals .

Auchinleck Talbot, Maryhill or Linlithgow Rose, Glenafton, Bonnyrigg Rose, Kilwinning Rangers, Carluke Rovers or Gartcairn and Sauchie Juniors are the other names going into the hat.