McAree urges players to relish occasion

COLERAINE will look to register back-to-back wins for the first time since August as they make the trip to the National Stadium tomorrow afternoon (KO 3pm)…

The Stripes moved up to 6th spot in the Danske Bank Premiership last weekend as a brace from Darren McCauley was enough to seal a 2-1 win away to Institute. As for the Blues, they moved joint-top of the table after a 1-1 draw at home to Warrenpoint Town as Andy Waterworth struck late to earn a share of the spoils.

The fixture will be the second time the two sides have clashed this season and the first was Rodney McAree’s bow as Coleraine manager. The game ended scoreless but both sides felt after the game that they might have stolen all three points at The Showgrounds.

Bannsiders boss McAree will be without the services of Lyndon Kane, Aaron Traynor and James McLaughlin for the trip to Windsor Park. There will be a late fitness check on defenders Adam Mullan and Gareth McConaghie, but boss McAree has challenged his players to put on a performance at the National Stadium.

“We know Linfield are a top side. They are joint top of the league and if we are to get anything at the National Stadium we will have to be at our best,” he said.

“In saying all of that, the players should take confidence from last week’s win and take that into tomorrow’s clash.

“Every player should relish playing Linfield on their own patch at Windsor Park.”

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

Supporters are reminded that entry is via match ticket only. Linfield have recently informed the club that fans will be able to purchase tickets from a booth at the entrance to the North Stand in the lead-up to kick-off.