Capital Gains

COLERAINE will be hoping to defeat Linfield for a second successive time at Windsor Park tomorrow afternoon (KO 3pm)… 

The Bannsiders moved up to fourth in the table on Tuesday night as goals from James McLaughlin and Stephen Lowry helped ease Coleraine to a win against Dungannon Swifts. The victory means the Stripes have won seven out of their last ten matches in all competitions. David Healy’s side were meant to be in action on Tuesday evening against Crusaders in the County Antrim Shield final, but the pitch at the Ballymena Showgrounds was waterlogged.

This will be the third meeting between the two sides this season, with the first ending in a goalless draw at The Showgrounds. The last clash went in the way of Coleraine as two own goals proved to be the catalyst as the Bannsiders clinched all three points at the National Stadium.

Coleraine boss Rodney McAree will be without the services of Aaron Traynor, Lyndon Kane and Alexander Gawne through injury – as well as Josh Carson who suffered an ankle injury against the Swifts. There will be a fitness check on ex-Linfield attacker Aaron Burns as he aims to shake off an Achilles injury.

McAree hopes that his side can play a good brand of football at Windsor Park and hopes they will take confidence from the win against the Blues back in November.

“Windsor Park is a tough place to go but we’ve had a good run of results recently,” he said.

“We’ve got to go there with the belief that we can get a win or a result.

“It’s not going to be easy as they’re on a good run – I think they’ve lost one in ten.

“It’s going to be a very tough match but it’s one we should be relishing.

“We done well the last time we were at Windsor and we are capable of playing good football.

“Through the course of time and better pitches we can maybe continue to improve that.

“The last day we went to Windsor it was a real highlight so we’ve got to go and try and challenge ourselves to do that again.”

As ever, those unable to attend can follow the latest updates via the club’s official Twitter account (@ColeraineFC).

Supporters are reminded that they will need a valid matchday ticket to enter the ground.