Dolan departure must be right for club - Ferguson

The Sky Blues boss is prepared to let the Dublin-based striker leave in January - but not to a rival Irish League club.

Dolan only joined United a year ago but has become frustrated by the long commute and a lack of game time, having spent much of the past few months of the substitutes’ bench.

He wasn’t included in United panel for the Boxing Day win at Coleraine but made a surprise return to the squad on New Year’s Day, coming on as a sub late on in the scoreless draw against Ards.

“Shane will only go on Ballymena’s terms,” Ferguson told Times Sport.

“I can understand his situation. His wife is pregnant and he’s just fed up with the travelling from Dublin to Ballymena.

“If a League of Ireland club comes in and wants to sign him, there will be absolutely no worries.

“But he won’t be allowed to go to another Irish League club unless it suits us.

“If he’s being tapped up behind my back, I won’t be too happy about it.

“Any time I want to speak to a player, I do everything by the book and I would like to think our players are treated the same way.

“Shane’s an honest guy - I’ve questioned him about it and he assures me he hasn’t been approached.”

Dolan’s possible departure could free up funds within the club’s wage budget to to bolster the squad before the end of the transfer window.

“I have irons in the fire to sign players, whether it’s in January or in the summer but there’s a lot of work to be done in the meantime.

“Ultimately we’re trying to strengthen the squad every time we can and if one player goes out, we want to try to sign a player who is that bit better.

“It’s a building process and two years down the line we’re still working at it.”

Meanwhile, Ferguson has challenged his players to continue the good form which saw them start 2014 in a top six position in the Danske Bank Premiership.

“A few weeks back we were siting in 10th place and it wasn’t looking so rosy but as I said at the time, we played well in games against Linfield and Cliftonville and didn’t get anything out of them.

“We maintained that form and we have picked up the points which makes all the difference.

“Having reached the top six, the challenge now is to stay there. We have games coming up in which I reckon we’re capable of putting in good performances and getting positive results.

“Our supporters were outstanding at Coleraine in backing us vocally from start to finish.

“We always know the potential for support we have if we’re going well and the County Antrim Shield last year proved it. We’re on a good run of form and hopefully that will bring more and more people out to support the team because the more support you have, the more encouragement the players take from it,” added Ferguson.