Game on at Ballymena?

Ards will be hoping to get back into action on Saturday if the big freeze continues to recede and an Irish Cup meeting with Ballymena United gets the go-ahead.

The word coming out of Ballymena on Friday afternoon is that the game should proceed, providing there is no drop in temperatures over-night, and for both teams that will mean the first taste of competitive action since 19th December.

Finding suitable training faculties over recent weeks has proved difficult, though Tommy Kincaid did have his players at Ashfield School on Monday and Wednesday of this week. With no reports of any injuries coming out of those sessions, Ards will have as full as squad as possible to choose from, excepting those ruled out through suspension and ineligibility.

Midfielders Jimmy McIlhagga and Dee Irvine will both serve their one match suspension on Saturday, while winger Mark Picking, who is with Ards on loan from Ballymena, is unable to play against his owner club due to IFA transfer rules.

That means the Ards line-up will almost pick itself, with Aaron McKee likely to come in to partner James Wright in midfield. Paul Dickson should remain wide-right too, allowing David Cully to keep his spot at right-back. Former Ballymena player Darren Fitzgerald took full part in this week's training and he'll likely start the match, despite his comments from two weeks ago that he would accept a move away from Ards.

Ballymena's last outing ended with a 2-0 win against Linfield, though prior to that the side suffered three straight losses, including one against the basement side in the Premiership, Lisburn Distillery. Roy Walker's team currently sit ninth in the table, 22 games into what could be considered an inconsistent season.

They too have players missing the game through suspension with Andy Smith, Chris Ramsey and former Ards midfielder Aidan Watson all sitting this one out. Top marksman for the Sky Blues this season is Kevin Kelbie, who has hit seven goals.

The match has a 3pm kick-off, with a supporters' bus leaving the Ards Sports Club at 1.30pm. If the game is tied after 90 minutes, then a replay will take place on Tuesday 19th January at 7.45pm.

- THIS WEEKEND'S FIXTURES (3pm unless stated)

JJB Sports Irish Cup 5th round

Ballyclare Comrades v Islandmagee
Ballymena United v Ards
Carrick Rangers v Portadown (2pm)
Coagh United v Tobermore United (2pm)
Crusaders v Bangor (2.30pm)
Donegal Celtic v Linfield (2pm)
Dundela v Coleraine (2pm)
Dungannon Swifts v Malachians
Glebe Rangers v Ballinamallard United OFF
Glentoran v Omagh United
HW Welders v Glenavon (at Mourneview Park)
Institute v Ballymoney United
Lisburn Distillery v Cliftonville
Loughgall v Ards Rangers
Newry City v Larne
Nortel v Bryansburn Rangers (2pm)

WKD Intermediate Cup 3rd round

Albert Foundry v Newington YC (1.30pm)
Fivemiletown United v Rosario YC (1.30pm)
Limavady United v Holywood
Raceview v Ballymena United Reserves (1.30pm)
Wakehurst v Drumaness Mills (1.30pm)
Wellington Rec. v Crusaders Reserves (1.30pm)

15th January 2010