McAree facing injury headache as Swifts trial a later kick-off

DUNGANNON Swifts boss Rodney McAree has a mounting injury list ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Glentoran at Stangmore Park, with up to five players facing late fitness checks.

David Armstrong has missed the last three games with an ankle knock — he is again considered doubtful — and McAree also has concerns over Liam McMenamin, Cormac Burke (both hamstring), Grant Hutchinson and Seanan Clucas.

It is overshadowing what Dungannon had hoped would be a special match against the Glens.

The traditional Saturday 3pm start has been pushed back by two and a half hours. It will now kick off at 5.30pm — a decision taken by the club in a bid to draw more fans through the gate.

McAree explained: “Other clubs have been trying Friday night games, and it’s a case of seeing if an alternative kick-off time will bring more people to the game.

“We’re hoping that by playing on a Saturday at 5.30pm we might be able to attract players from local clubs who are turning out earlier in the day.

“That way we might have an opportunity to get a bit more revenue from the game.

“I’m looking forward to it, and hopefully it generates a good atmosphere.”

After last weekend’s game at Carrick, Dungannon have played all 11 other sides in the Danske Bank Premiership.

McAree believes they are not far from their pre-season targets, adding: “We’ve picked up 14 points out of those 11 games. If we do that in the next two cycles of matches, we’ll have 42 points going into the split, and it’s not too far from where we want to be.

“We’ve done well. We’ve had iffy performances, but we’ve had good performances as well.”