DEAN Shiels says he is fully aware of what the Boxing Day derby means to everyone at the club as the Bannsiders face Ballymena United tomorrow afternoon…

The two clubs meet in the annual festive cracker on the Ballycastle Road, with Coleraine eager to record three wins from three against their nearest and dearest so far this season.

The Bannsiders weren’t in action last weekend due to their game against Carrick Rangers being brought forward, but Shiels remarked that the squad have been working hard on the training pitch since they last played against Linfield on December 14.

“It’s a big fixture which means a lot to me and a lot to the players – but especially the fans,” he said.

“For us to beat them three times before the New Year would be big and that’s the carrot.

“We know it’s going to be difficult, we know they’ve had some good results and we’re going to have to be right on it to get something.

“The motivation is there. There’s no bigger game than Boxing Day at home on the fixture card and we’re really looking forward to it.

“We know this place is powerful and we want it to be difficult for away teams to come.

“We want the crowd to get behind us and give us that little bit extra to get the three points.

“We know how much it’ll mean and it’ll push us further up the league.

“It’s a special fixture, it’s the biggest game of the season for me and let’s hope we come out on top.”

Shiels further provided a squad update regarding several members of his first-team squad after he was down in numbers for the trip to Windsor Park last time out.

“We’ve been stepping it up but Dean Jarvis is struggling, so that was another defensive injury.

“Graham Kelly is out long-term, Cammy Stewart who was on the bench for Linfield is going to try and train today (Monday), and there are still doubts on Matthew Shevlin and Jamie McGonigle.

“We don’t know where they are at as they both still haven’t fully trained. If we can get them back that’ll pose a big threat for us.

“Whatever team we put out will be competitive and we will be demanding a performance and a result.”

Supporters can still get tickets for the fixture HERE.