Football: BANKIES AIMING TO STRIKE A BLOW AT PARTICK; SECOND DIVISION.

CLYDEBANK player-coach Tommy Coyne was last night involved in signing talks aimed at bringing in a forward before his side's visit to table toppers PARTICK THISTLE this afternoon.

And coach Fraser Wishart said: "We don't want to say who it is in case the deal does not come off in time."

Meanwhile, Canadian John MacDonald, who has been training with the Bankies this week following spells at St Mirren and Hamilton earlier in the season, is not expected to be included although Brian Welsh is hopeful that he will have recovered from a strain and be back.

Partick are without the injured Paul McGrillen, who is now out of hospital after an operation, and Steve Docherty.

Up-beat Jags boss John Lambie said: "This will be another very tight match but we are at the top of the table and are intent on keeping that position."

Promotion chasing STRANRAER yesterday signed left-sided midfielder Sandy Hodge from Queen of the South as boss Billy McLaren moved to strengthen his squad.

Hodge was previously with Motherwell and McLaren , who paid out a nominal fee for the player, said: "The lad can really tear up and down that left side."

But Stranraer are still without injured Andy Paterson and Dougie Johnstone as they prepare to welcome STIRLING ALBION who have Jim Gardner missing.

Stirling boss Ray Stewart said: "We have got to battle for the points and we know that Stranraer are a dangerous side.

ARBROATH'S new assistant manager Steve Kirk, who was sacked from the East Fife hot-seat last season, will join manager John Brownlie in the dug out for the first time today for the Gayfield side's home clash with title challengers QUEEN'S PARK.

Brownlie, who has John McGlashan out injured, said: "We have to build on the platform we have created over the past few weeks. If we win we'll be right behind Queen's who were at the top of the table not so long ago."

Spiders manager John McCormick is still faced with a lengthy injury list which includes keeper Colin Stewart, Paul Borland, Graham Connell and Jim Brown and he declared: "It has been a long week after our defeat and we are all looking forward to getting back into action."

Veteran midfielder Alex Taylor is added to the FORFAR squad as they face QUEEN OF THE SOUTH with manager Ian McPhee pointing out: "Alex has not started a game since the start of the season through injury and we are very pleased to see him back."

Queen's are likely to field an unchanged line-up for the trip to Station Park.

BERWICK are without the suspended Marc Anthony but Lloyd Haddow and Neil Oliver are fit for the home clash with STENHOUSEMUIR who are missing Jimmy Fisher and John Gibson.

But Stenny boss Brian Fairley said: "Although Jimmy is still out he has re-started training after his operation."

CAPTION(S):

CONFIDENT: Thistle boss John Lambie's in a bullish mood