Glenavon head to the National Stadium tomorrow without the services of leading goal scorer Eoin Bradley. The striker will be suspended for Glenavon’s next seven games, starting with a one game ban tomorrow for having reached five cautions followed on Monday by the start of a six game ban after he was sent off for an alleged head butting offence against Colin Coates in the recent 1-1 draw at Seaview.

David Healy will be going all out for a win to keep the pressure on leaders Crusaders and Gary Hamilton knows that a win for the Lurgan Blues would close the gap to second placed Linfield to just three points with a definite European place up for grabs by whichever team finishes first or second.

So far it’s one win apiece between the two sides, Linfield winning their home tie with a late Mark Haughey goal in a 4-3 thriller, and Glenavon taking all three points in a 3-2 victory at Mourneview, a Daniel Kearns opener and a double from Joel Cooper securing the win.

Joel Cooper scored the winner last time out. Photo by Alan Weir.

“It’ll be another tough game tomorrow but, if anything, there’s more pressure on Linfield to win if they want to challenge for the league title. At the moment we are looking to catch the team above us which is Cliftonville. We always go out and try to win every game and hopefully we’ll have a bit of luck tomorrow and we can take the three points,” Gary told us.

There are five injury doubts for Gary ahead of tomorrow’s game with Rhys Marshall, Kevin Braniff and Ciaran Martyn all picking up knocks in the Mid-Ulster derby and Andy Kilmartin and Daniel Kearns doubtful after training on Thursday night.

Information for Supporters

Glenavon supporters will be accommodated in the Railway Stand. Access is via the walkway at the Donegall Avenue end of the ground and Linfield advise that they should either enter via the Donegal Avenue entrance or come across the footbridge from the Lisburn Road direction.

Please note the Boucher Road tunnel will not be in use and Glenavon supporters should therefore not use the Midgley Park entrance.

You are reminded that Linfield have designated this as all-ticket for Glenavon supporters. The Glenavon club shop will be open tonight (Friday), from 7.00 to 8.30 pm if you require a ticket.

NB: Tickets will not be on sale at the National Stadium (Windsor Park)