St George’s bid for a record third Grand Slam faces its latest hurdle this Saturday.

The Glencrutchery Road juggernaughts take on Rushen United this weekend in the Friends Provident International FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday as they search for a third piece of major silverware of the campaign.

Geordies have already added the Railway Cup and Premier League to their straining trophy cabinet and will now be targeting the FA and Hospital Cups.

Rushen stand in their way this time out in what will be a tricky last-eight tie for Chris Bass Sr’s men.

The pair met at the end of January in the league, the Saints edging the match 3-2 suggesting a tight game should be on the cards.

Geordies have been in impressive form all season, but a United side that have only one of their last eight have the ability to pull off a ’shock’ on their day.

The round’s other all Premier League affair sees Douglas Athletic host near-neighbours St Mary’s at Springfield Road.

The latter will start the match as favourites having steadied the ship under Nick Hurt, but only triumphed 2-1 in the corresponding league fixture.

This will be close encounter, especially on Athletic’s narrow pitch, but expect the Saints to edge it.

Last season’s FA Cup victors Peel continue their title defence with a tie against Division Two Braddan.

The westerners will be keen to finish what has been a difficult season on a high and will be favourites to advance into March 25’s semi-finals.

Will Smith’s Swans’ start to 2017 has been hit be several postponements.

Although they have slipped down the standings as a result, victory in their games in hand will propel them back up into the promotion mix.

The Victoria Road outfit will therefore be keen to gauge their progress ahead of a potential top-flight return.

At least one second-tier side will make it into the last four with Foxdale and Douglas and District going head-to-head at Billygoat Park.

Looking at league form, Foxdale, who took the scalp of Premier League Colby in the previous round, should win.

However, it was D and D who triumphed when the pair met in their sole meeting thus far this season in August.

All four ties kick-off at 2pm.

ANDY DALRYMPLE