Saturday sees Glenavon make the second in a trio of away trips in the Danske Bank Premiership with a visit to Stangmore Park to face Dungannon Swifts. It comes hard on the heels of Tuesday’s 2-2 draw at The Oval, Glenavon being denied all three points by a late Glens equaliser. Next weekend its a trip to the Coleraine Showgrounds but Gary Hamilton is just focussing on tomorrow’s game.

The Swifts leading goal scorer Andrew Mitchell has attracted the interest of a number of clubs and Glenavon made a concerted effort to re-sign the former Lurgan Blues striker over the summer.

Games between the sides have generally been tight, hard fought affairs and, though Glenavon has won the last four league meetings there’s rarely been more than a goal between the sides and Gary is expecting another tough game on Saturday.

“It’ll be another tough game for sure. Dungannon never make it easy for us and in Andrew Mitchell they have one of the top strikers around at the moment but hopefully we can keep him quiet. Rodney (McAree) has made some good signings and they have been playing well lately.

“We want to go there and play well and we’re aiming to take maximum points. As always we’re looking to win and if we don’t we’ll be very disappointed but we’ll have to work hard for it and we have to get on the front foot and play with plenty of energy and at a high tempo.”

Joel Cooper, who scored a fantastic goal at The Oval on Tuesday that’s become an internet sensation, faces a fitness test after coming off with a knock towards the end of that game and Dave Elebert is at a family wedding but it’s hoped that Simon Kelly will be back at the heart of the defence.

“Joel clashed knees on Tuesday so it’s more of a knock than a strain. Paddy McCourt will probably be rested as he still is really in pre-season for him and we don’t want to risk getting him injured and then be missing for a longer period,” the Glenavon manager explained.