After suffering a shock Mid-Ulster Cup loss to Hanover, Gary Hamilton is calling on his players to put in a big performance in Saturday’s Danske Bank Premiership game against Linfield.

As the Lurgan Blues manager explains, the Mourneview Park outfit have had an indifferent start to the season.

“We want a big performance and there is no reason why we can’t get a result,” he said.

“We have proved it time and time again. We put in a good performance in the first match of the season and didn’t get our just rewards.

“We went to Warrenpoint and played very well and on Saturday against Ballymena we were unfortunate. But we let ourselves down badly against Carrick and again against Hanover.

“It’s another home game and the boys need to know that they need to turn up on Saturday and put in a performance this time.”

The champions come into the game having won their first two league games, while their last outing, against Coleraine, ended in a draw.

Glenavon will be without captain James Singleton and Peter Campbell, who are both injured, while Calum Birney remains suspended following his sending off in a reserve game against Warrenpoint.

Jack O’Mahony will also be missing due to illness.

Tickets for Saturday’s game remain on sale by clicking here. You can also buy tickets for Tuesday night’s game against Larne by clicking that link, while they will also be available from The BlueZone on Saturday.

LAST TIME OUT: Danny Purkis’ header just after the hour mark gave Glenavon a big win over title favourites Linfield back in April.

Colin Coates put Glenavon into an early lead before Shayne Lavery levelled on 13 minutes, but Matthew Fitzpatrick restored the Glenavon lead midway through the half.

After Purkis had doubled the home side’s advantage, Christy Manzinga gave Gary Hamilton’s men a sweat but in the end they held on for all three points.

SPONSORS

MATCH SPONSORS: Glenavon Social Club

BALL SPONSORS: Rejuvenated

MAN OF THE MATCH SPONSOR: Lucy KERR

MATCH OFFICIALS

REFEREE: Andrew Davey

ASSISTANT REFEREES: Gareth Eakin, Ryan Kelsey

FOURTH OFFICIAL: Shane Andrews