Bannsiders back on the road again

Given all that has happened this week in regard to funding and the fall-out which ensued, you could be forgiven for forgetting that there's an actual game this weekend!

But, yes, Coleraine are back in action - on the road again - this time away at ninth-placed Portadown.

It's a third away game in a row for the Bannsiders - a fourth out of their six games played - which makes their performances all the more impressive.

They are yet to taste defeat, winning four and drawing one of their five games to date, but that fine record will surely be put to the test at Shamrock Park.

"If you look at the fixtures we've had we've had some tough fixtures, so we're happy with our points return," says Bannsiders' boss Ruadhri Higgins.

"We have good players here, really good players, and we have good depth.

"We have seven or eight unavailable to us at the minute but if you look at the team that took the pitch last weekend we still have real talent and we put in a brilliant display.

"That's probably a good indication of how we want to go about our business: we were really good in both parts of the game - in possession and out of possession - and we want to continue that," he adds.

Among those missing out because of injury in the victory over Crusaders at Seaview was the centre back pairing of Charles Dunne and Kodi Lyons-Foster.

Dunne is expected to be out for several weeks with an ankle problem but Lyons-Foster may be available for selection.

There is less good news for forward Jamie McGonigle who faces a number of months out after damaging his quad in the warm-up prior to the recent North West Cup win.

That may open the door for the likes of Cameron Stewart, so impressive against the Crues, to continue in defence while other members of the squad may come into contention for some game time.

Whoever takes to the field will be determined to maintain the team's momentum as they keep pace with Glentoran at the top of the table.

Unbeaten in nine of their last 11 away games they enjoy a good record at Shamrock Park, with just the one loss in their last nine visits.

A similar performance to seven days ago at Seaview should be enough to bag all three points for the visitors.