GARY Hamilton says his team are like the “walking wounded” heading into Saturday’s game with Cliftonville.

Buoyed after Tuesday night’s win over Portadown, Glenavon remain on a decent run having lost just one of their last eight – that defeat coming last Saturday against their Mid-Ulster rivals.

“We’re really, really down to the bare bones and with Coatesy being ruled out with concussion, that’s another 10 days for him,” said Gary following Tuesday night’s win.

“Really we’re going into the game with next to no defenders so we are going to have to rely largely on the same personnel.

“But if we play the way we did against Portadown on Tuesday night, I’ll be very happy.

“For the boys who haven’t played in five or six months it is difficult to play a match and then come back and play a match another four or five days later.

“As much as I believe in not changing a winning side, this is unforeseen circumstances where boys aren’t getting under 20 games to keep their fitness up. We will have to assess it and maybe change it up again.”

Coates is indeed on the injury list and misses the trip to Solitude, as does Lee McNulty who was due to return from a one-match ban but has a knee injury.

Andrew Doyle has a back injury and Jack O’Mahony (hamstring) also misses out. Michael O’Connor won’t be risked on the Solitude 4G.

However, there is some good news – James Singleton comes back into the side following his spell out with concussion.

Fans are not permitted to attend the game, however it can be seen on 247.tv/niprem for £7.

LAST TIME OUT: Glenavon were held to a 1-1 draw at Solitude in January – a result which did not match the Lurgan Blues’ performance. Gary Hamilton’s men put in a very good shift against Cliftonville and looked set to take three points back down the road from Solitude thanks to Danny Purkis’ second half penalty.

However, they were to be denied by a great strike by Ryan Curran right at the death.

MATCH OFFICIALS

REFEREE: Raymond Crangle

ASSISTANT REFEREES: Mark O’Brien, John Doherty

FOURTH OFFICIAL: Ben McMaster