James Singleton will be available for Saturday’s trip to Crusaders, the club can confirm (live on 247.tv/niprem – stream costs £10).

The club captain, who has played in every game so far this season, was sent off towards the end of Tuesday night’s win over Dungannon Swifts.

However, the club have appealed the red card, meaning he will be available until that hearing is held.

Matthew Snoddy will be unavailable due to being on loan from Crusaders, while Michael O’Connor won’t be risked on the Seaview 4G pitch and Calum Birney remains a long-term injury doubt.

Glenavon go into the game having won three of their last four outings, while Crusaders have won two and lost two of their four games in February.

They go to a venue which has not been a happy hunting ground for them in recent years. In fact, since returning to the top flight with that famous extra-time win at Seaview in 2005, Glenavon have won just three of their last 26 games at the North Belfast ground.

However, Glenavon have lost just one of their last five games against the Crues – a 3-2 defeat in 2019 – winning three and drawing one.

“It’s another tough game, the games are coming thick and fast,” said Gary.

“Crusaders is always a difficult game for us. They’re a top side and they’ve hit a bit of form too and are back in the mix again.

“It’ll be a difficult game but the boys have to take confidence themselves too. They’ve got 10 points out of the last 12 and we’ve beaten them before, so we have to take that into the game on Saturday.

“We have to give it our all and see where it takes us. But if we keep playing the way we are playing then we stand a chance of getting a result.”

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Christopher Morrison,

Assistant Referees: Stephen Donaldson, George Argyropoulos

Fourth Official: Neil Robinson

LAST TIME OUT: Glenavon produced one of their best performances of the season at Mourneview Park on Saturday November 28, coming from behind to defeat Crusaders 3-1.

Philip Lowry put the Crues ahead just three minutes into the game after Adam Lecky had nodded down a Jamie McGonigle corner.

Glenavon were the better side for the majority of the remainder of the first half, yet still found themselves a goal behind at the break.

That all changed in the second half, though, as the goals they deserved finally arrived and they took the game away from Crusaders.

The impressive Jack O’Mahony headed in the equaliser on 50 minutes when Danny Purkis picked him out with a left-wing cross.

Peter Campbell’s low left-footed shot on 74 minutes gave Glenavon the lead, before Matthew Fitzpatrick sealed the win for the home side when he added a third goal in the 80th minute.