RUAIDHRI HIGGINS says it’s vital that his players embrace the Boxing Day atmosphere while also focusing on the task at hand this afternoon…

The Bannsiders travel to the Ballymena Showgrounds for the second time this season as three Premiership points are up for grabs.

Both clubs have sold-out their ticket allocations meaning a large crowd and atmosphere is expected for the A26 derby.

It marks Higgins’ first Boxing Day derby as a manager and it’s one he is ready to embrace.

“It’s a game I think everyone’s looking forward to,” Higgins said.

“It’s a sell-out which is brilliant, it shows what it means to our supporters and we want to send them home happy but we’ve a difficult task in front of us.

“It’ll be spine-tingling walking out for the players on Boxing Day. That’s what you want but whilst we have to embrace it, we also have to play the game.

“We have to put in a good performance, we have to focus on what we’re there to do and that’s to pick up three points.”

Coleraine are set to be without Dean Jarvis and Dylan Boyle through suspension, with Higgins stressing that he will give others the chance to prove their fitness due to knocks and bruises.

He explained: “Again, short enough turnaround so we’ll see.

“We’ll give them every chance, we’ll give them right to the last minute. I’m sure the players will want to do everything they can to play, obviously Cameron Stewart as well.

“We’ve followed the right protocol, we’ve been dealing with the top man in England’s Premier League in relation to those injuries so we won’t take any chances with Cameron.

“Obviously Dean Jarvis and Dylan Boyle are suspended so aye, we’re down in bodies but we’re no different to any other team in the league.”