Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Stoke Sheff Wed
7pm NEIL THOMPSON says Sheffield Wednesday must be ready and prepared to continue Stoke’s slump. After Stoke it’s Birmingham on Saturday, both out-of-form teams, as Thompson looks to steer his side out of danger. Stoke are on a nine-game winless run but caretaker boss Thompson said: “It’s a big week we have ahead of us. What happens this week will not define our season but the remit is simple, get as many points as we can between now and the rest of the season. “We have to concentrate on ourselves.”
Portadown v Glentoran Shamrock Park, 7.30pm
BY DARREN FULLERTON
PORTADOWN boss Matthew Tipton is bracing himself for a frantic flurry of football as the Irish League bids to complete a 38 game season before the end of May.
Leaders Linfield have only played 17 fixtures to date while the Ports have played 16, meaning they have 22 more league games to fulfil over the next 14 weeks.
Carrick Rangers and Glenavon have played the fewest number of games to date – 14 – while Glentoran and Ballymena United have completed 15.
Add in potential Irish Cup ties and a busy time lies in wait for all 12 top flight clubs.
Ahead of tonight’s home clash with the Glens, Tipton said: “It’s going to be Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday moving forward, but I love football and I know the players love playing.
“Hopefully we’ll get 38 games played by the end of May, but if not, NIFL have contingency plans in place to decide the season after 33, 27 or 22 games.
“I know the schedules are tough, but the weather looks like it is going to pick up, so we’re prepared to play football until someone tells us otherwise.”
Elsewhere, Carrick Rangers will look to build on Saturday’s impressive 3-1 win at Crusaders when they travel to Glenavon.
Dungannon Swifts, who dropped to the bottom of the table after their 3-0 weekend defeat at Larne, are away at Warrenpoint Town.
Mo might move if Liverpool continue their losing slump and finish outside the top four