READY AND RARING TO GO

The Blues travel to the Coleraine Showgrounds to take on the Bannsiders (kick-off 3pm) in the opening game of the 2010/11 season.

Davy Platt’s men have lost their chief striker Rory Patterson who is off to Plymouth, but have brought in former Glenavon players Aaron Black and David Scullion along with Institute striker Paul Brown and Linfield defender, Jonathan Harkness. Scullion was of course a major transfer target for Marty Quinn this summer but instead opted for a move to the north coast side.

Despite missing out on the winger, Quinn is confident that his Glenavon side can hit the ground running and get points on the board in their difficult opening three games against Coleraine, Portadown and Donegal Celtic.

“It’s not the easiest start but send it on,” he said excitedly.

“We’ve worked hard for the past five or six weeks and pre-season has got a bit tedious. Now it’s about the action and whilst it’s not an easy start, there are no easy starts in the league.

“I know Coleraine have brought in three or four players but they’ll miss the goalscorer Rory Patterson. Hopefully we can go up there and come away with at least a share of the spoils. We’ve set a target as to what we’d like out of the first three games and we can’t afford to lose on Saturday. I’m quite sure and confident that we can get something and I’m very positive about things.

“I’ve been relaxed and haven’t been too demanding in pre-season games but the players will see a different preparation for this Saturday’s game. Hopefully I’ll have the players firing out the door.”

Mark Turkington has a leg infection while Hugh Dickson and Willo McDonagh are struggling with injuries, Trevor Molloy is suspended and Philip Trainor is a doubt with a groin strain.

“We’ve a few injuries and things,” said Quinn. “Hugh Dickson picked up a knee injury last Tuesday night against Oxford United and had to be stretchered off. It’s a bad blow for Hugh who is just back from his honeymoon and at this moment in time we’ll have to wait and see what the situation is when the swelling goes down.

“Willo didn’t play against Loughgall with a bit of a knock and Trevor’s suspended so we’ll just have to make do anyway. Maybe about eight or nine of the players starting against Loughgall will feature but there may be one or two changes.”

Goalkeeper Andrew Plummer is still highly unlikely to feature after a less than impressive pre-season but Quinn has praised the youngster’s attitude following a dressing down from his boss in recent weeks:

“It’s still 99% that Andrew won’t be playing against Coleraine, let me put it like that but there’s that other 1%. His attitude has been first class this week; I’ll be the first to admit that. I think Andrew realises that he’s in the last chance saloon with me. It’s certainly a lot to do with his attitude and I’ve seen a lot better attitude from him this week.

“Let’s not forget he’s still only 20 years old and has been through a confidence crisis. He’s a proud sort of a lad and he wants to be given an opportunity to put things right but as to whether I grant that or not remains to be seen.”