Captain returns for Welders game
8th February 2008

Aaron McKee will be available for selection again on Saturday as Ards go in search of three points as league action resumes against HW Welders.

The club captain hasn't played since cracking several ribs in last month's early cup exit to Brantwood but has now declared himself fit for the game at Clandeboye Park. Now it will be a case of whether manager Tommy Kincaid chooses to separate the midfield pairing of Ryan Newberry and Gary Clifford, who were instrumental in delivering Ards' passage into the next round of the WKD Cup last weekend - between them, they scored all three goals.

Ards will also welcome back Craig McMillen, who served a one-match suspension last week, while Justin McBride is fit again after recovering from flu. Kincaid is still waiting to hear if he will have either Darren Stirling or Gareth Walsh available, with both having missed several weeks of action due to injury.

Left-back Johnny Cleary is definitely ruled out along with striker Ricky Billing, whose injury remains unsolved. Meanwhile Ryan Hyland is ready to be named in the squad, having been unavailable for the last game.

Since the Welders defeated Ards 1-0 in the opening league game of the season, they haven't fared too much better than Ards. Already out of both the Intermediate and Irish Cups, they have a five point lead over Ards in the league championship, but only managed a one-all draw with lowly Portstewart last weekend.

The game kicks-off at 2.30pm and there will be supporters' bus leaving the Ards Sports Club at 2pm. The premises will be open as usual before the departure to allow fans to congregate.

ardsfc.co.uk