McAree seeking three points

COLERAINE will hope to end three games without a win as they face Glenavon tomorrow afternoon (KO 3pm)…

The Bannsiders fell to a defeat to Cliftonville last time out despite the taking the lead twice through Jamie McGonigle and James McLaughlin. As for Glenavon, they are on a hot streak of form and this continued last time out as a late Sammy Clingan penalty was enough to secure a dramatic 2-1 win over Crusaders at Mourneview Park. Gary Hamilton’s side currently occupy 4th spot in the Danske Bank Premiership as they chase a European spot.

The fixture will be the fourth time the two clubs have clashed this season and Glenavon have had the upper hand in two of the three meetings. The first was back in October as Stephen Murray’s hat-trick was a catalyst in a 4-1 win on the Ballycastle Road, before Glenavon scored another four goals in a victory back in December. The previous clash was a more tight affair as Niall Grace’s superb effort meant both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Bannsiders boss Rodney McAree will be without the services of Aaron Traynor, Lyndon Kane, Aaron Burns, Stephen Lowry and Alexander Gawne through injury, with Gareth McConaghie also suspended for two games after accumulating 10 yellow cards. There is a boost as defender Aaron Canning returns to the matchday panel after suspension, as well as Adam Mullan, Josh Carson and Jamie Glackin.

Speaking ahead of the fixture, boss McAree insists his troops won’t fear the Lurgan Blues after suffering heavy defeats against them this season.

“We won’t dwell on previous results against Glenavon this season,” he said.

“We certainly didn’t do well enough in the first home and away games against them, but I think we have to go there with the belief that we can get a win.

“We have to try and win all of our games before the play-off, nobody goes out on a Saturday afternoon or whenever a game is played and not want to win.”

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