Title contenders visit Drumahoe

The Drumahoe club, who suffered JJB Sports Irish Cup heartache last weekend at Glenavon, have defeated the Shore Road side on their previous two meetings this season.

In September a late Jason Blackburn strike was enough to claim a 1-0 victory, while in November a double from speedy striker Paul Lowry saw 'Stute leave Seaview with maximum points.

Nevertheless boss John Gregg believes those previous results don't mean anything; in fact it will probably spur on Stephen Baxter's team.

"Obviously we played well in those two games and we'll need to be at our best if we want to get another positive result on Saturday," he said.

"But those two games are in the past and to be honest, if anything, I know Stephen Baxter will be using those results in his team-talk to motivate his players.

"They will also feel that they are now over their recent blimp, they have played the majority of their games, so they'll want to push on and challenge for the title, but we have to worry about ourselves."

The Waterside men have Tony Shields available after he missed last weekend's defeat at Glenavon, while duo Declan Divin and Sean Friars remain doubtful. But striker Kevin Ramsey is missing through suspension, though Gregg is hopeful that striker Joe McCready can continue his recent good form.

In fact Gregg admits he hopes to get the teenager front man signed up on a new long term deal later this week.

"Everyone knows that I'm a big admirer of Joe, so hopefully by the end of the week we'll have something sorted out in regards a new long term deal, which will see him stay at Drumahoe for a few years."