Fit fighters

Jim Magilton believes that too much focus on Cliftonville’s injured absentees can be unfair on the players who are working hard to build on the team’s recent good form.

The Reds approach tomorrow’s Sports Direct Premiership encounter with Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park on the back of four successive wins that have been achieved despite a lengthy casualty list – which the Manager says is testament to his squad’s adaptability and application.

“While it’s important that people know who is and isn’t injured, I don’t really discuss it as much because it’s important for the players who are coming in to know that they have to be ready to play,” he explained.

“Luke Conlan has had an operation and, fingers crossed, won’t be out for the season but we suspect he may be; Darien (Wauchope) has gone back to Mansfield with a torn thigh so we won’t be seeing him for quite some time; Ryan Corrigan’s making progress but we’ll probably not see him for another couple of weeks; Tom Lavery’s had another week at Sunderland; and PJ (Morrison) felt his knee in the warm-up before the game last week and, as a precaution, we decided to take him out and obviously we’re well aware that Lewis Ridd is an able deputy for him.

“But all of that opens up doors for other players and they have to grasp these opportunities.”

One player who certainly made an impact last week was Sean Robertson, whose debut display from the bench was a key factor in Cliftonville’s comeback triumph against Ballymena United.

“He did what we hoped he would do,” added Magilton, who will be without the services of loanee Brandon Bermingham against his parent Club tomorrow.

“We felt that his pace and quality could influence the game, and he showed real glimpses of what Reds fans can expect to see and, again, we just have to manage him because of the lack of games he’s had. We’ll try and get him more minutes on the pitch but it’s a case of having to manage him.”

Frustrated by certain aspects of his side’s display against the Sky Blues, Magilton admitted he was “secretly delighted” to have claimed the victory that extended Cliftonville’s winning run but has urged against any further slackness this weekend, adding: “We want to build on our recent form by making sure we produce the kind of performance that we know we’re capable of.

“Every single week brings you a tough test in this League and you have to be bang on it or you’ll get punished. Everybody knows what Dungannon are all about and the strengths that they have, so this is another game where we can’t afford to drop standards.”

Dungannon Swifts v Cliftonville
Saturday, September 20
Adults: £15
Concessions: £10
Tickets: General Sale