With a spot in the Danske Bank Premiership play-offs secured, Gary Hamilton is set to make changes ahead of Saturday’s trip to Carrick Rangers.

“We have a lot of quality on the bench and through our good form recently many of them haven’t been given a chance – they maybe had been getting more regular opportunities when we’re on our bad run as we were changing the team more often,” Gary said.

“That’s a good sign for us that they’re getting results and that we haven’t had to make many changes. On the other side of that there’s boys that need game time as well because you never know what might happens over the next couple of weeks. There could be injuries or suspensions whatever. 

“We need to get the boys in, get them games, get them up to sharpness and a couple of games for them will do them the world of good if they’re called upon. 

“We’ll obviously take each game as a comes and certainly there will be over the next couple of games. We want to make sure that everybody’s at a reasonable standard of fitness and sharpness come the play-off game.

“There’s a lot of boys who don’t need it as they’ve played regularly over the last eight weeks and there’s some boys on the bench that do need it. We’ll get them some game time and get them up to game speed over the next couple weeks.”

Everyone is fit for Glenavon with the exception of Calum Birney and Jordan Stewart, who are therefore expected to miss out for Saturday’s trip to Carrick.

– Congratulations go to Matthew Fitzpatrick, who has been named in the Premiership Team of the Year ahead of Saturday’s NI Football Awards. His 17 goals this season have played a huge part in Glenavon’s resurgence in recent weeks. Well done Fitzy!

LAST TIME OUT: Carrick Rangers and Glenavon played out a 1-1 draw at Taylor’s Avenue when the sides last met at the end of January. A late Danny Wallace goal earned Glenavon a share of the spoils after a Calum Birney own goal had given the hosts the lead.

Both sides finished with 10 men after Kyle Cherry and Jack Malone were sent off in separate incidents.

MATCH OFFICIALS

REFEREE: Shane McGonigle

ASSISTANT REFEREES: Gavin Hegarty, David Burns

FOURTH OFFICIAL: Ben McMaster