Glenavon pitch inspection ahead of Coleraine fixture

GLENAVON officials are expected to carry out a pitch inspection on Saturday morning, ahead of the proposed Premiership clash with Coleraine.

Like most areas of Northern Ireland, Mid Ulster has been badly affected by the cold snap of the past week.

But, with temperatures set to rise this weekend, there are hopes that Mourneview Park will be passed fit to host the game.

The two sides last met at the end of November when the home side twice came from behind to grab a share of the spoils in a thrilling 3-3 draw, Matthew Snoddy scoring the equaliser deep into added time.

Indeed, you have to go back over five years - August 2019 - for the last Coleraine win in Lurgan.

This weekend's hosts have also enjoyed something of a renaissance under new manager Paddy McLaughlin, picking up important wins in recent weeks on the back of some impressive defensive displays.

“The lads have been superb since Paddy, Marty and I arrived,” assistant manager Colin Coates told the Glenavon club website.

“They have listened to what we have told them and applied it well in game situations. The clean sheets have given us a great platform to go and win matches.

"David Toure and Len O’Sullivan have been excellent in the full back positions and Niall [Quinn] and Barney [McKeown] have complemented each other in the middle. But defending is not just about defenders. It is an 11-man activity.

"Our lads have worked their socks off from Michael O’Connor and Davy McDaid back to the goalkeeper," he added.

However, the former Crusaders and Ballymena United defender knows they face a difficult challenge this weekend.

“Coleraine is a top side with lots of high quality players,” he continued.

“Matthew Shevlin is arguably the best marksman in the league and there is also Jamie McGonigle and Jamie Glackin. They have threats in nearly every attacking position. It's going to be a tough game.”

“Jamie Glackin is a really dangerous player. He finds pockets of space and can pose problems with either a through ball or a shot.

"This week we have talked about him and some others and our lads need to be switched on for the entire 95 plus minutes.”

Glenavon have a number of injury concerns with Mark Haughey and Calum Birney rated 'doubtful' and Rhys Marshall and Jack Malone undergoing assessment.

There is better news surrounding Chris Atherton and Isaac Baird, however, with both expected to be included in the squad for Saturday.