Curry to start at Suffolk Road in place of suspended McCrudden

The Waterside men, who saw Carrick Rangers leap frog them into top spot at the weekend, are hopeful that midfielder Gary Henderson returns to the squad, but the loss of McCrudden through suspension and O’Flynn who had a short break organised before signing, may prove vital.

Nevertheless boss Paul Kee remains confident that his players will be able to cope without the pair.

“We are more than capable of winning every game from now until the end of the season,” he stated.

“At this time of the season it’s all about which side holds their nerve and picks up as many points as they can.

“We have the players but it’s this stage of the season there are still 12 points to be played for and there’s going to be a few more twist and turns.

“Knockbreda have to play Carrick twice, we have to play Carrick, so there’s a massive amount of football still to be played.

“To be honest we are going to Welders as well and they are unbeaten in their last five games, so that’s not going to be an easy game.

“We have four real tough games against sides who are either in-form or fighting for their lives at both ends of the table.

“I’m not expecting Donegal Celtic, the Welders, Carrick or Limavady to lie down but we just have to maximise ourselves.”

The ’Stute gaffer concedes that because it’s so tight at the top of the table with Carrick, themselves, Knockbreda and Bangor all in the title hunt nothing maybe decided until the last day of the season, where they face neighbours Limavady United.

“It could actually even go down to the last game of the season, so I’m not worried, however if I’m having a similar conversion this weekend at Donegal Celtic, then that’s a different story, then you might need to start looking at things, but not now.”

Despite drawing with Knockbreda, Kee was happy enough with a share of the spoils.

“It was two sides challenging for the league and we got a point, so we need to pick ourselves up and get on with the next match.

“We haven’t lost against any of the top teams this year so that’s credit to the players.

“Now this week we have to train well, keep people fresh and just get the squad focused on the game Donegal Celtic.”

Hugh Sinclair’s side were well organised and set-up like a team happy to go home with a point, but Kee feels DC won’t set-up the same way at Suffolk Road and he admits pacey winger Stephen Curry, is likely to replace McCrudden

“It’s their home patch so they have to come out at us, but if they sit back then we have to break them down and that’s what we’ll try to do. We just have to take chances when they are presented to us.”

“Stephen will come back into the side, in fairness to him he has been excellent,” stated Kee.

“He has made big efforts when he has come on and he deserves a start, so the likelihood is that Stephen will start this weekend.”