DEAN Shiels says the Bannsiders are awaiting scans for Jamie McGonigle and Matthew Shevlin after the pair missed yesterday’s loss at Linfield…

Coleraine travelled to Windsor Park without the duo’s availability, as well as Graham Kelly and Alfie Gaston who remain absent.

A brace from Matthew Fitzpatrick and Joel Cooper’s individual effort gave the Blues all three points.

When asked for his reflections at full-time, Shiels said: “I think 3-0 probably flatters the game…trying to get a starting 11 for the game proved to be difficult with the players we had out.

“We had limited numbers at training all week, at one stage we had eight players out training.

“We had players sitting on the bench who couldn’t come on, so it was really difficult.

“We got into lots of good areas, dominated the first 20 minutes of the second half, pinned Linfield right back but we couldn’t find that moment in the final third.

“We are very light by losing Matthew Shevlin, Jamie McGonigle, Graham Kelly and Cameron Stewart.

“The scans will dictate how long Matthew and Jamie are out for.

“We have two cup finals going into January before we can possibly bring players in.

“I’m probably not expecting them back before that, which is a blow.

“I thought Rhyss Campbell worked so hard today and gave us everything when he was playing out-of-position.”

Coleraine are not in action until Boxing Day when they host derby rivals Ballymena United.

Shiels acknowledged that the small break has probably come at the right time for his injury-hit squad, as well as giving an update on potential arrivals in the January transfer window.

“We’re glad of the 12 day break and hopefully we can get some bodies back,” he added.

“We’re really patched up at the minute and it’s difficult, especially when you’re asking young players to come and play.

“There’s no more ruthless place to come and play on a Saturday but what Senan Devine got out of playing against the likes of Cooper and Fitzpatrick will help.

“I thought Corey Smith at 19 was outstanding, Kyle Spence who hadn’t played in months did well, so we have to keep working and get the squad strengthened by the next game.

“There’s been a lot of hard work done for January and the summer.

“We’re delighted with how that’s looking but we still have two games before there can be any movement.

“We are working hard constantly at ways to improve the squad.”