Stripes prepare for Warr

COLERAINE will hope to register all three points from tomorrow’s clash away to Warrenpoint Town (KO 3pm)…

The Bannsiders had to settle for a point last time out at home to Glentoran as Darren McCauley’s second-half equaliser cancelled out Robbie McDaid’s opener. 10-man Coleraine had arguably reasons to feel frustrated at not earning the win but they couldn’t find a way past Elliot Morris. As for Warrenpoint, they have picked up form in recent weeks after successive draws against high-flying Linfield and Glenavon. Stephen McDonnell’s men would pick up another point last weekend as they drew 1-1 with Dungannon Swifts at Milltown.

The fixture will mark the second time the two sides have clashed this season as the Stripes celebrated an opening day win against tomorrow’s hosts. Goals from Ian Parkhill and Stephen Lowry had the Irish Cup holders well on their way, before Eoin Bradley added a third after the break.

Coleraine manager Rodney McAree will be without the services of Lyndon Kane, Aaron Traynor, Ian Parkhill and James McLaughlin through injury. The squad is further stretched as Steven Douglas and Eoin Bradley are absent through suspension. There will be a late fitness given to defender Graham Crown who is struggling with an Achilles problem. Despite being down on numbers, McAree insists the surface at Milltown should suit his players.

“Warrenpoint is a very tough place to go, especially as it’s a long journey from Coleraine,” he said.

“It’s a decent surface down there and you can play a bit of football on it, so it should suit us.

“Obviously we’ll have to make a change now with Eoin Bradley suspended, but it also gives Jamie McGonigle to get a place in the team again.

“For the life of me I can’t believe a player of Jamie’s quality is not in the team.

“It shows you the quality the teams has produced over the last few weeks.”

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