Henderson shines in ’Stute friendly

The midfielder, who shone on his ’Stute debut in their friendly defeat at Ballinamallard United on Saturday and Kee feels after just one game that the former Dergview man could play a major role in any success they achieve this campaign.

“Gary was excellent and he definitely has got something,” stated Kee.

“He’s just turned 18 last week, so he’s played a full year at 17 in the Championship and I think that was no mean achievement in handling that physically.

“He’s well physically equipped, he’s a very intelligent player and he’s a very unassuming player who just gets on with his job. He makes so many tackles and blocks and is a really good team player, but the big bonus about him is that he can also play.

“He can receive and turn, he can pass and find people, he has got long passes, he’s got a good short game, he’s really a good player for the future and I have high hopes for him.”

Another man who Kee is expecting to have a big campaign is striker Darren McFadden.

The talented front man is still learning about life playing in the Championship, but Kee is convinced he could be their top marksman this season.

“I have confidence in the strikers we have at the club already the likes of Robbie Hume, Corey Hegarty, Stephen Parkhouse and Michael McCrudden and there’s no reason why McFadden couldn’t score goals this year,” he added.

“There’s no reason why he couldn’t be a 20 goal striker, now that’s the aim for him and the aim for us, but he’s still a young player learning and I’m sure if Parkie got himself a bit fitter, he’s got the quality and the experience to score goals.

“In fairness we are looking to bring another player into the squad, but you have to be patient with signings.

“We have players who are capable of scoring goals, but whether or not we are going to get an out and out striker I don’t think so, but we will be looking for another forward player before the window shuts at the end of August, but we aren’t going to dive into it.”

The Drumahoe man is also keen to add former keeper Michael Doherty, who played against Ballinamllard on Saturday, to his side.

Doherty, who was released by Premiership side Coleraine at the end of last season, may sign tonight (Wednesday).

“Hopefully we’ll get him on a form tonight,” he admitted.

“I think he had to get over the disappointment of getting released by Coleraine, but I rang him up and got him to play on Saturday, he’s maybe whetted his appetite, so hopefully he puts his signature on a form this evening.”