MATCH PREVIEW: Glenavon v Dungannon Swifts

Glenavon have been dealt a blow going into tomorrow’s final league game of the season against Dungannon Swifts (5.30pm kick-off) with the news that James Singleton will be out for six weeks with a broken foot.

The club captain injured his foot during the game against Carrick Rangers, but didn’t realise he was hurt until after the game.

“It’s a massive blow for us, James has been superb for us,” Gary Hamilton told the club website.

“He didn’t realise it was sore until after the game, and then it just swelled up. He went to hospital the next morning where they confirmed it was broken.”

While James’ season may well be sadly over, there is good news on the injury front too. Both Conor McCloskey and Colin Coates are available for inclusion in the squad, while Gary says he hopes Andy Doyle and Robbie Garrett will also be fit to play.

Glenavon need just a point from tomorrow’s game to secure a game in the European play-offs. After Tuesday night’s spectacular second half performance against Carrick Rangers, Gary is hoping to see more of the same.

“There’s one game left to go and we have to do the same as we did at Carrick – put in another top quality performance and give themselves the opportunity of playing in a European play-off,” he said.

“They deserve that chance. I’ve been at this club for a long time now and we’ve had many good years, we’ve won Irish Cups, got to Europe and so on but I have to say I’ve enjoyed this year every bit as much as the rest of them.

“The boys have been a joy to work with. We’ve been flogging players to death and I would be gutted for them if they didn’t turn up on Saturday and give themselves the opportunity to play in the play-off.

“At the start of the season it would have been a realistic target for us but with the amount of injuries we have had, the amount of refereeing decisions which we all know about that have gone against us, if we were to blow that opportunity now it would be such a shame. They have worked their socks off.

“They have to do it one more time on Saturday and then hopefully we’ll get another opportunity on Tuesday.

“But we have to make sure that we take care of business on Saturday and get that result that we need to get us into the play-offs.”

Saturday’s game will be the first to have supporters back at Mourneview Park – and we can’t wait to see you once again. Unfortunately, due to the restrictions, only season ticket holders can attend what will be the final game at Mourneview Park this season. However, for those of you who can’t make it, the Glenavon Media team will be streaming the game from 5pm on 247.tv/niprem. Further details are available by clicking here.

LAST TIME OUT: the Lurgan Blues suffered a disappointing 2-1 cup defeat to Dungannon Swifts on home turf.

Danny Purkis put the home side in front on 10 minutes when he tapped in after strike partner Matthew Fitzpatrick had taken advantage of an error from Swifts goalkeeper Roy Carroll.

The visitors drew level on 32 minutes when Ryan Mayse fired past Craig Hyland after being played in by Rory Patterson.

Shane McGinty scored what proved to be the winning goal in the 67th minute when he drove the ball home from the edge of the box when it fell to him following a corner-kick.

MATCH OFFICIALS

REFEREE: Andrew Davey

ASSISTANT REFEREES: Gareth Eakin, Mark O’Brien

FOURTH OFFICIAL: Shane Andrews