Derby Day at the Ballymena Showgrounds

COLERAINE make the trip to Ballymena United as the Bannsiders aim to keep the pressure on leaders Crusaders (KO 3pm)…

The Stripes were inactive last weekend as their Irish Cup tie against Glentoran fell foul to the wintry conditions. This was also the case for Ballymena, although Davy Jeffrey’s men did celebrate a hard earned 3-2 success against Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park on Tuesday night. The Sky Blues are currently 7th in the Danske Bank Premiership – five points behind Glentoran with two games in hand – as they chase a coveted top six finish.

The two sides have already met each other on two occasions this season as Coleraine earned a 2-0 success on Warden Street in September. Goals from Stephen O’Donnell and Jamie McGonigle were enough to seal all three points. On the annual Boxing Day fixture, Ballymena secured a deserved draw as Kyle Owens’ deflected header cancelled out McGonigle’s effort before the break.

Coleraine manager Oran Kearney will be without the services of Stephen Dooley and James McLaughlin through injury. However, striker McGonigle is expected to be fit after coming off injured against Warrenpoint Town two weeks ago.

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