FITNESS BOOST FOR THE BANNSIDERS

McCauley was stretchered off during last week’s defeat at Glenavon with ankle igament damage, whilst McVey looked to be ruled out for an indefinite period of time after seemingly breaking his foot for a third time.

But after further assessment last week both players received positive news regarding their rehabilitation.

“Kyle went to see the specialist at the end of last week and he believes it wasn’t a third break,” in the foot,” Kearney told Times Sport.

“It was a case of the second break hadn’t healed correctly.

“There’s some new form of treatment out now which is like an ultrasound which helps the bone knit together over a period of sessions.

“So it’s probably going to take a month of treatment and then we’ll assess him again before thinking about easing into light training again.

“Meanwhile Darren has made super progress over the last seven days.

“We expected him to be off the crutches, but we didn’t think the swelling would have gone down so quickly and that his movement would have freed up so soon.

“The swelling is right down and there’s an awful lot of bruising in it already which is a good sign.

“Given that he’s only 19 I’m hoping he’ll be a quick healer. At the moment we’re saying 4-6 weeks, but we’ll see how he reacts over the next week to 10 days.”

Kearney also revealed Michael Hegarty is set to go for his operation this week to repair his damaged knee.

“He (Michael) is a top man and the last month or so has absolutely killed him,” he said.

“I would hate to see him with a real long term injury as he just hates not being involved.

“So it’s great that we can get him in and get the operation done”

Midfielder McCauley told Times Sport he is hopeful of being back sooner rather than later.

“The doctor told me it’s going to be six weeks out for me,” he said.

“But I think that’s just like a general rule of thumb with an injury like this.

“Everyone is different. It all depends on how each individual responds to the treatment. I’m hoping I’ll be back sooner than first thought

“Thankfully I’m off the crutches now so I just have to make sure I keep doing the strengthening exercises and the physic will monitor me to see how I’m responding.”

McCauley has been instrumental in Coleraine’s good form this season and he admitted he was gutted after picking up the injury.

“It couldn’t have happened at a worse time,” he said.

“The team was playing well and I was really enjoying playing. The system was going well for us, up until last week we were all thriving on it.

“As I say the 4-3-3 formation was really working for us. We seemed to have a good balance through the side.

“It was disappointing to lose at Glenavon, but from a personal point of view to pick up the injury as well put the tin hat on it for me.

“It all happened so quick. I think I went over on my ankle, but I think the Glenavon player landed on it too.

“But injuries are all part and parcel of the game you just have to get on with it and work hard to get going again.

“Everyone has given me a lot of support and I’m really enjoying it here.”