DJ: BLUES HAVE THE BIT BACK

Ballymena Utd v Linfield 7.45

DAVID JEFFREY believes Ballymena are preparing to meet a Linfield team that has the “bit between its teeth” once again.

David Healy’s Blues bounced back to form last Saturday with a thumping 6-0 win at Ballinamallard.

It came after a woeful run of just one win in their last five outings in all competitions.

“Linfield have got the bit between their teeth after last week, make no mistake about that,” Jeffrey (inset) said. “They beat Ballinamallard 6-0 and also had a player sent off. So we are expecting a very tough game. If we don’t apply ourselves well, we can get thumped.

“Linfield are back on track. That 6-0 win will have been a good fillip for them. It was always going to be that way.

“My team talk is that we are playing against the double champions who are coming off the back of a 6-0 away win.

“Their manager has put it to them that the challenge is to lose as few games as possible between now and the end of the season. Remember the run they went on last season? That was phenomenal.”

Ballymena are missing Kyle Owens who is suspended. Emmett Friars (calf), Michael Gault (groin), Kevin Braniff (hamstring) and Caolan Loughran (dislocated elbow) are also out. Meanwhile, midfielder Stephen Mcalorum is nearing a return to first team action after recovering from injury.

“Stephen has played some minutes already for the reserves so he is building up,” Jeffrey said.