Glenavon have been dealt a blow by the news that club captain, Mark Haughey, will have to undergo an operation on his ACL.
The centre-half went off injured during last week’s defeat to Larne.
Confirming the news that the club had feared, manager Gary Hamilton said that Mark would be out “for a long period of time”.
He added, “We’re obviously trying to get him to see a consultant now and get him booked in for an operation. Then there will be a period of recovery to get him back.
“We’re gutted. Mark is a big player for us. He’s our club captain and we’re devastated for him.
“That said, we’ve had a few players over the years like Kyle Neill and Eddie McCallion who have had ACL injuries after reaching 35 years of age, so older than Mark, and they still managed to come back and play, and we still got a couple more seasons out of them.
“I’ve no doubt with Hawks’ attitude and mentality that he’ll come back stronger as well and we’ll get a few more years out of him too
“But, for now, our best wishes are with him. Hopefully we can get him in for an operation soon and get him operated on.”
Mark joins Andrew Doyle on the injury list ahead of the trip to the Oval this weekend when Glenavon take on Glentoran.
Micheal Glynn will also miss out through suspension.
Gary has also confirmed that Sean Carey has returned to Shamrock Rovers.
Looking ahead to this weekend’s fixture, Gary said that his side’s ability to take their chances will be key to how the game will turn out.
“Of course they will be hurting because we were the first team to beat them this year,” said the Glenavon boss.
“Hopefully we can build upon our good performances against Coleraine and Larne and that Dungannon display was just a one-off.
He added that if Glenavon were to get anything from their trip to the Oval they need to “play well and be a bit more ruthless in front of goal”.
The club has been notified that a pitch inspection will take place ahead of Saturday’s game at 11am.
LAST TIME OUT: Glenavon’s impressive run of form continued as they secured a stunning 2-1 victory over high-flying Glentoran at Mourneview Park.
The Glens went into the game as league leaders, and when Aidan Wilson headed them in front in first-half stoppage time it looked a safe bet they would end the night still in top spot.
The Lurgan Blues had other ideas, however, and a quickfire double from substitutes Micheal Glynn and Aaron Prendergast midway through the second half handed Mick McDermott’s side their first defeat of the season and ensured Glenavon picked up their third win in the last four games.
MATCH OFFICIALS
REFEREE: Declan Hassan
ASSISTANT REFEREES: Kristian Hanna, Brian Wilson
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Ben McMaster
