IT may be like entering the lion's den, but Greenock manager Martin Campbell admits he can't wait to see his side take on Pollok at the Glasgow club's legendary Newlandsfield Park tomorrow.

The south-side team's crown has slipped a bit in recent times, but playing on the renowned Newlandsfield surface in front of a passionate home support still ranks on the wish-list of many a player in the Junior ranks.

Campbell was equally enthusiastic when Pollok came to Ravenscraig on the opening day of the league campaign almost four months ago.

But his side was like a rabbit caught in headlights early on, as they went two down within the first 25 minutes.

But a second half goal by Darren McLachlan brought them back into the match, and in the end they were unlucky not to snatch a point against a Pollok side who have gone on to establish an eight point lead at the top of the league table as they look set to bounce straight back up to the Premier League following last season's relegation.

However Greenock's cause wasn't helped that day by a red card for Jamie McKenna, who curiously still seems to be on their books, despite the club reporting that the striker had left in November.

And more recent red cards mean the Ravenscraig men will again be hampered tomorrow.

The postponement of last Saturday's West of Scotland Cup tie at home to Yoker had a sting in the tail, as had it been played it would have seen Barri Stanton, David McGarrigle and Allan Docherty complete their three-match suspensions.

So the trio will have to sit out tomorrow's game, although Campbell reports good news on most of the remainder of the squad.

He said: ''Neil Docherty, Martin Dow and Sean Doherty would all have missed last week's game had it gone ahead, but they are all available for tomorrow, so that's a big help. But young Grant Beattie is still struggling to shake off his injury trouble, so I have told him to take a few weeks off and concentrate on getting back to full fitness.'' It's the start of a tough run of games for Greenock, with three away fixtures back-to-back to take account of Ravenscraig being closed over the Christmas and New Year break.

The Pollok game will be followed by trips to face Rob Roy and Largs Thistle, and Campbell will be looking for his men to improve on a defensive record which sees them, along with Neilston, having the worst goals against column in the Super League First Division, having conceded an average of more than two a game in their 12 matches played.

The manager said: ''It wasn't like that at the start of the season, but losing 15 goals in our last four games is obviously a concern. It's something we are definitely working on, and I hope we can tighten up a lot at Pollok.

''It will be tough at Newlandsfield, but every Junior player should aspire to playing matches at grounds like that, so we should also look forward to it.'' Kick-off is at 1.45pm.