Glenavon take on Ballymena United on Saturday with the race for a top six place really hotting up.

Three points separate the Sky Blues, who are sixth, from the Lurgan Blues, who are in eighth with a game in hand. Seventh placed Crusaders play fifth placed Cliftonville in one of the other games of the day.

Gary Hamilton was waiting to see who would be available to him after training on Thursday night after being forced to name just six substitutes in the 1-0 win over Warrenpoint on Tuesday.

“We had 11 players out [on Tuesday]… we’ll take a look at what we have available to us and take it from there,” he said.

However, he was more than impressed with how his injury ravaged side had coped in recent weeks, adding: “Hopefully we can take a bit of confidence out of the last few results.”

The good news is that the injury list has shortened slightly, with Conan Byrne hopefully available for a place on the bench, while Colin Coates returns from suspension.

Gary knows that he is in for a tough game against David Jeffrey’s United team.

“They’re an excellent side and they’ve been unbelievable this year,” Gary told Glenavon Media.

“Where they’re sitting in the league is a credit to David and his players.

“It’s a tough league and we know it’s going to be a tough game on Saturday. But we have to believe in ourselves as well, especially given our last few results.”

Those last results have seen Glenavon unbeaten in their last five games and put in some fine performances. Here’s hoping that can be carried through to Saturday.

Tomorrow’s game is behind closed doors, but the Glenavon Media team will be bringing you all of the action from 2.30pm, with kick-off at 3pm. Joining Michael Scott on commentary this week is former Glenavon and Ballymena United defender Gary Smyth. Access is free for season ticket holders and £5 for everyone else. To watch the game visit 247.tv/niprem.

SPONSORS

MATCH SPONSOR: Gordon Irwin

BALL SPONSOR: In Memory of Paddy Allen

MAN OF THE MATCH SPONSORS: Barry Craig & Ethna Ferron

OFFICIALS

REFEREE: Andrew Davey

ASSISTANT REFEREES: Paul Robinson, Andrew Nethery

FOURTH OFFICIAL: Mark Dillon

LAST TIME OUT: Glenavon got back to winning ways with a well-deserved 2-1 victory over Ballymena United at Mourneview Park on Saturday afternoon.

Conor McCloskey gave the Lurgan Blues the lead when he struck against his former employers on 18 minutes, while Michael O’Connor doubled the lead from the penalty spot 10 minutes before half-time, after Ballymena full-back Ross Redman had been penalised for handball.

Glenavon comfortably held on to their two-goal advantage for the majority of a second half which was less entertaining than the first, but the Sky Blues did pull a goal back in the second minute of injury time to give the Mourneview men a late scare when Joshua Kelly converted from substitute Andy McGrory’s corner.