Glenavon travel to Solitude tomorrow to face a Cliftonville side that parted company with Manager Barry Gray after last Saturday’s defeat at the hands of Dungannon Swifts. Former Cliftonville Olympic coach Michael Press has been appointed Interim Manager with former players Barry Johnston and Michael Smyth assisting.

8/12/2018 Cliftonville vs Glenavon. Glenavon appeal for the goal
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Freddie Parkinson

Gary Hamilton is hoping for a response from his side after they failed to test the visiting keeper in last week’s defeat at Mourneview Park to Ballymena United. “We’ve only two wins in the last 13 games but there were draws and when you look at them, in near enough every single one, the performances were good and we should have won – we missed chances or made a silly mistake – and we were that one goal away from winning.

“Last week was disappointing and we’re looking for a reaction. The only positives that we had last week was Rhys Marshall and Robert Garrett so we’re hoping that tomorrow that the boys can repay the fans and everybody with a good solid performance with lots of effort and lots of commitment. If you can do that in this league and match or better the opposition for work rate and desire then you’ve a chance of winning and beating any team in this league. Hopefully we can get back to that tomorrow.

“At various stages we’ve missed Andrew Mitchell for 6 or 7 games this year and Stephen Murray and Josh Daniels have missed four or five games each. Andy Hall and Conor McCloskey and Sammy Clingan have been out for periods and Andrew Doyle has been out all season. Mark Sykes probably wasn’t on top of his game when the possible move was pending because there was so much going on in the background and in his mind so that probably hampered us as well.”

James Singleton returns after missing last Saturday’s game due to suspension but Andrew Mitchell, Sammy Clingan and Andrew Doyle are still out injured. The rest of the squad is fit, including Seamus Sharkey who has recovered from an ankle problem he picked up in the warm-up ahead of the Coleraine game a fortnight ago.

For the Reds Liam Bagnall is suspended (5th caution).

Glenavon supporters are asked to please note the PSNI Advice for tomorrow’s game.

Form Guide

Last five league games

Cliftonville: L L L W L: 3 points from a possible 15

Glenavon: D D L D L: 3 points from a possible 15

Head to Head

Last ten games in all competitions

Glenavon: W5 D3 L2 F23 A19, Average goals per game: 4.2

Match Officials

Referee: Jamie Robinson, Assistants: Stephen Donaldson, Kristian Hanna, 4th Official: Chris Morrison

Jamie Robinson takes charge of his third game involving Glenavon this season.