Ferguson prepares for tougher tests

The Sky Blues opened their Danske Bank Premiership campaign in confident fashion on Saturday with a 2-0 win over Warrenpoint Town.

But there are likely to be sterner tests in store as United travel to Seaview to take on Crusaders on Wednesday night (7.45pm) and then face Portadown at the Showgrounds this Saturday (3pm).

“We’ve gone to Seaview in the past couple of years and got good results.

“We know the players will respond against the bigger teams but it’s games like last Saturday that we want to try to avoid dropping points in.

“We could make changes depending on what Crusaders’ line-up is. If they play all their six foot giants, then we might look at bringing the likes of Davy Munster in.

“Linfield probably thought it was a good time to play Portadown at the weekend but we saw what happened there.

“Portadown have a strong squad and will have players back from suspension by the time they play us.

“But if you work harder than your opponent, you have a chance of winning games and as I always say, there are no east games in this league - the opening week’s results showed that again.

Defender Aaron Stewart’s hamstring injury won’t be risked on the artificial surface at Seaview but he should be fit for Saturday’s game.

* Seven Towers Supporters’ Club transport to Wednesday night’s game at Seaview leaves Henry Street car park at 7pm.