Coleraine on the road to Dungannon on Friday

COLERAINE will look to get back to winning ways when they make the trip to Dungannon Swifts on Friday evening.

The Bannsiders began the season with back to back wins but since then have lost at Carrick Rangers and drew at home to Larne.

That result was achieved without the spine of the team, injuries ruling out skipper Stephen O'Donnell, midfielder Stephen Lowry and striker Matthew Shevlin.

Playmaker Jamie Glackin sat out the scoreless draw because of suspension, meaning it was a much-changed side which frustrated the defending league champions.

Glackin will most likely return to face one of his former clubs but uncertainty surrounds the other three who are all suffering from varying degrees of injuries.

With a busy September on the horizon, including league games against the likes of Linfield, Glentoran, Cliftonville and Crusaders and a Scottish Challenge clash against Hamilton, it is likely management will tread carefully with the injured players.

"I don't know when they'll be back and there's no point me saying otherwise," admitted manager Oran Kearney.

"We'll have a look and see where we are with bodies. They are all niggly ones which you hope will clear up soon.

"The ankle is holding Matthew Shevlin back and it's not 100%. He's such a vital player for us and I'm happy to take a hit for three or four games like we have rather than putting him out there and he keeps breaking down.

"It's important we do it right and we have a duty of care to the players as we have to right by them.

"We had the smoothest pre-season ever where there were no aches and pains and we started the season with 20 fit players.

"All of a sudden in the space of three weeks, there's five or six players that we just need to be careful with at this moment in time.

"But that also gives opportunities and that's the key thing. I thought Jack O'Mahony was outstanding against Larne and I thought Darren Cole showed all the class and confidence that we expect to see from him and we know he will only get sharper as the weeks go on," he added.

Opponents Dungannon Swifts, under the stewardship of former Coleraine manager Rodney McAree, staged a remarkable comeback to draw 4-4 at Larne in their opening game but since then it has been a struggle for the county Tyrone club.

A hat-trick of defeats has them near the foot of the table with just a single point but they remain dangerous opponents, especially on their home patch.

They will be keen to get their campaign back up and running and possess plenty of players who will cause problems for the visitors' defence should they not be at the top of their game.

"It's always a difficult place to go," admitted Oran Kearney.

"Rodney's has had a good jump since he's gone there and he's got a lift, so we know it's going to be a really tough game.

"We've got our performance level back where we want it to be but it's important we go and maintain that."