AUCHINLECK Talbot manager Tommy Sloan says the club are close to adding some new faces to the squad after trialists impressed in the bot’s 1-1 draw with Kello Rovers at the weekend.

Following a year out of football, after deciding not to play in the debut season of the West of Scotland Football League due to COVID-19 restrictions, Talbot returned to face Kello Rovers on Saturday.

The two sides played out a feisty 1-1 draw in the friendly at Nithside Park, with Talbot taking the lead early on via an own goal.

Auchinleck’s lead did not last too long however as Mark Armour levelled the score just before half time from the penalty spot and despite Talbot dominating the second period, Kello held on for a deserved draw.

Sloan said:“It certainly blew the cobwebs away for us and showed that certain players are ahead of others regarding fitness levels. The competitiveness was good.

“Kello showed they have some good players down there and it was certainly a tough enough game for us, as was shown in the result.”

Amongst the side were two trialists looking to earn a full-time deal at Beechwood Park.

Former Clyde defender Jamie Bain, who is a full back or midfielder, played the full 90 minutes in the draw. The other who made a cameo at the weekend is the son of former Talbot star Billy Mason, Aaron who plays as either a midfielder or forward.

Former BSC Glasgow midfielder Conor McBride has also been training at the club but did not feature at the weekend, with Sloan saying he is hopeful the club will be able to secure the trio’s services.

“Bain has been with us for a few weeks now and I am certainly pleased with him so far.

He added: “Mason has been with for a couple of sessions, he is a young talent and a player that I like. Conor missed out at the weekend, but hopefully he will be able to get a run out against Johnstone Burgh next weekend.

“They are certainly all players that interest us and the two that played at the weekend certainly have not done any harm to their chances. “