Joel Cooper is suspended for tomorrow’s trip to Milltown as Glenavon and Warrenpoint meet for the third time this season. With both teams on identical league form over the last ten games, having won five, drawn four and lost only once, it promises to be a tough test for the Lurgan Blues.

Fabio scored against Loughgall last Saturday. Photo by Alan Weir

Though Barry Gray’s side have slipped back to the bottom of the table after Carrick’s win against Dungannon in one of their games in hand, ‘Point’s excellent recent run of results has certainly boosted the confidence of the side and given them real hope of avoiding relegation.

On Glenavon’s last visit to Milltown goals by Joel Cooper, Eoin Bradley and an own goal earned a 3-0 win in August but in the return fixture at Mourneview in December it took a man of the match performance from Johnny Tuffey to earn a point in a 1-1 draw, Andy Hall scoring Glenavon’s equaliser after Stephen Murray had raced clear to put ‘Point ahead after just 22 seconds!

“On current form Warrenpoint are up there with the best teams in the league,” Gary Hamilton conceded. “Up until Christmas they probably weren’t getting the rub of the green and, to be honest, they should have beaten us in the game in December. They brought in some good players in January and Stephen Murray has impressed since his move from Armagh City.”

Glenavon’s new signing Ian Morris picked up a strain in the midweek Reserves game so he’s unlikely to make his debut tomorrow as Gary doesn’t want to take any risks with him having only played one other preseason game. Also rated doubtful are Daniel Kearns (groin) and Simon Kelly and Kevin Braniff who are all affected by a bug. Kelly trained this week but Braniff has been confined to bed all week.

“Fabio is our only fit striker but he’s in goal-scoring form at the moment and our back four and midfield will be at full strength so there won’t be that many changes from last week’s starting line-up,” Gary concluded.