Spence back for Irish Cup

Gary Spence is expected to travel with the Ards squad as they take on Coleraine in the fourth round of the JJB Sports Irish Cup.

Defender Spence, last season's Young Player of the Year, has been missing from the line-up through injury since before Christmas, but resumed training this week. He is therefore expected to be part of the squad to face Coleraine at The Showgrounds.

Striker Darren Stirling wont see any of the action though, as he still struggles with a leg injury - picked up during the Intermediate Cup defeat by Islandmagee two weeks ago. Ards, otherwise, have a full squad to choose from and it is unlikely that Tommy Kincaid will tinker too much with the line-up that lost narrowly to Portadown last Saturday.

Coleraine, under manager David Platt, will have two unavailable for the game. Richard Gibson began a two match suspension on Monday, while Darren Boyce is similarly suspended, having been sent off in their win over Dungannon last weekend.

That home victory was only Coleraine's second win in any competition since early-November during a terrible spell that included five straight defeats in December.

Despite recent results the side are still reasonably positioned in the JJB Sports Premiership at fifth place and also have undoubted Irish Cup pedigree, having reached the final three times in the last six years.

Ards supporters using the Premier Club bus on Saturday should note that it will leave at the early time of 12 noon, which is to accommodate a lunch stop at the Lodge Hotel. Non-bus supporters would also be welcome to stop at the venue, which is located at the large roundabout.

Saturday's game kick's off at 3pm and should it end in a draw, then there will be a replay at Dixon Park sometime next week.

This weekend's fixtures (3.00 unless stated)

Ballinamallard United v Donegal Celtic (2.30)
Ballyclare Comrades v Ballymena United
Banbridge Town v Lisburn Distillery (2.00)
Bangor v Carrick Rangers
Cliftonville v Warrenpoint Town
Coleraine v Ards
Crusaders v Ballymoney United
Dungannon Swifts v Downpatrick
Glenavon v Newington YC
Glentoran v Limavady United
Islandmagee v Institute
Larne v Loughgall
Linfield v PSNI
Newry City v Portstewart
Portadown v Dergview
Tobermore United v Killyleagh (2.00)

16th January 2009