Can United give Linfield the 'Blues' once again?

Roy Walker's side has beaten the Blues 2-0 at the Warden Street Showgrounds in each of the previous two Carling Premiership campaigns and they will bid for a third success when the sides meet this Saturday (3pm).

Ironically, those two results came at times when Ballymena were struggling – compare that with now where the ever-improving present United side are being tipped by many observers as being capable of toppling David Jeffrey's men once again.

"I was speaking at a breakfast event on Saturday morning and there were a few Linfield men there," said Walker.

"I was interested in their comments because I think they think they might get a game and I hope we don't disappoint them.

"It's a game which, as a manager, you don't really have to hype – the opposite in fact.

"Linfield have changed the shape of their team and the way they play and it has been good for them but we have to go out and compete.

"I want our players to approach the game in the way we have done the last few games and indeed since the start of the season – feet on the ground and we know we're a long way away yet.

"We need to be really brave, both as individuals and as a team. The polar opposite of fear is faith.

"If my players play the way they can we will give ourselves a chance but we can't afford to carry too many."

Walker will have key player Eamonn Murray available after the winger played less than 40 minutes of Saturday's Co-operative Insurance Cup win over Ards, coming on as a half-time sub before being withdrawn in the closing stages due to illness.

"We were right not to play Eamonn. He didn't train Tuesday or Thursday because of flu and he was a bit out of sorts but he will be OK."

One player certainly out of Walker's immediate plans is midfielder Rory Carson, who will be out for between 6-10 weeks after having cartilage removed from his knee.

"Rory went for a scan and the extent of the damage was worse than we thought but there wasn't any major damage to ligaments which would have been worse.

"A cartilage is a bit like your tonsils in that it doesn't really do a lot. They went to scrape it, I think is the term, but it was a bit of a mess so they just removed it and they scraped a bit of damage to the bone as well.

“Of the other players coming back, Gavin Taggart has done a little bit of training but the Linfield game might be a week too soon for him, while Ryan Brown should be able to play for the Reserves next week.”

Walker sprang a surprise by naming Ballykeel teenager Neil Lowry on the bench for the Ards game

“I had four young players training with us on Thursday night, including Aaron McGregor, a 16-year-old.

“Neil did some good things in training and he's really fast – he really motors.

“There is no such thing as young players and old players here any more – there are players and if you're old enough and good enough you'll get in and if you're young enough and good enough you'll get in,” added Walker.

Saturday’s match is preceded by the first corporate lunch of the season, sponsored by Kerr Tyres. The match ball sponsor is Progressive Building Society.

The monthly Paramount Supporters' Club table quiz takes place in the Bowling Club this Friday evening, October 29, starting at 8.30pm.

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