Ards have options up front

Ards can welcome back strikers Darren Stirling and Neil Corr for this week's meeting with Glebe Rangers in the Championship.

Darren Stirling

Neither player has featured in competitive games so far this season, with Stirling suffering an injury during the friendly schedule while Corr has been holidaying in recent weeks.

But their return to training a over a week ago will give Tommy Kincaid extra options up front for the third game of the season against Glebe. The game will also be the final one of Ricky Billing's suspension, bringing yet another attacker into the mix in the coming days.

The problems this weekend concern who will play in Ards' defence. Gary Spence's dismissal against Carrick Rangers two week's ago will see him serve a one game ban, while Ards are without both David Cully and Johnny Cleary due to holidays.

Johnny Cleary

A number of options will be under consideration then for Tommy Kincaid, who will look at how best to utilise Kris Pike, a left-back used at centre-half and centre midfield in recent weeks. Paul Dickson seems an option at right back and if that were to happen, might there be places for Ryan Newberry or Brendan Lowe in midfield, with both now returned from holiday?

Glebe have played only one match to date, a one-all draw with last year's First Division champions Loughgall on the opening day of the season. They made the step up from the Second Division during the summer, having finished in fourth place last season.

Kick-off at Dixon Park is 3.00pm and Ards supporters are invited to travel on the Premier Ards bus, which leaves the Sports Club in Regent Street at 2.00pm.

This weekend's fixtures (3.00pm unless stated)

Ards v Glebe Rangers
Ballinamallard United v Armagh City
Killymoon Rangers v Loughgall (2.30)
Limavady United v Coagh United
Portadown v Dergview
Tobermore United v Banbridge Town

15th August 2008

ardsfc.co.uk