Crusaders boss Stephen Baxter admits he’ll doff his cap in the direction of Danske Bank Premiership champions Linfield at Seaview tonight – but the pleasantries will end there!
The teams may have clashed last week at the same venue, with David Healy’s boys running out narrow winners (1-0), but on that occasion Baxter blooded several of his young guns – it will be different tonight.
“The Blues come as our current champions, so you always look forward to those kind of games, there is always a great atmosphere under the lights,” said Baxter.
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“We’ve had some ding- dong battles with them over the past number of years. So, it’s a mouth-watering clash and we are all ready to play.”
Baxter added his big hitters will be back on show: “There will be no selection headache for me,” he added.
“We are always very aware of what we are doing and how we are doing it.
“We are all fired up and ready to go. Linfield have the strength in depth as well, they have a huge squad of players to pick from.”
Apart from Ben Kennedy and Brandon Doyle, the Crues will have a full quota of players available.
Baxter added: “Ben will be out for weeks as opposed to days. The good news is, he is back in the gym, getting on with his rehabilitation.
“you always have to be careful with knee injuries, so we are just hoping there is no setback. We are looking forward to seeing him back on the training pitch over the next few weeks.
“Ben and Brandon are only two on the long-term injury list.”
Meanwhile, Newry City boss Darren Mullen insists Dungannon Swifts are due their first League win of the season – but he doesn’t intend to let it happen at the Showgrounds tonight.
Newly promoted City have managed to pocket only three points from their five starts, but Dean Shiels’ side are rooted at the bottom of the League table, still looking for their first point.
“We are playing one of the teams in and around us, so we need to make sure we pick up points,” declared Mullen.
“It’s only a matter of time before the Swifts get their first win, we must make sure it’s not at the Showgrounds.”
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