Keeper concerns add to Ferguson’s worries

The Sky Blues boss is sweating over the fitness of both of his senior goalkeepers.

Dwayne Nelson will undergo an X-ray this week for a definitive diagnosis on the facial injury he sustained against Linfield 10 days ago.

The situation has been made even more acute after his understudy, veteran Stuart Addis, sustained a groin strain during Saturday’s 4-3 home defeat by Glentoran.

“It’s imperative that we get good news about Dwayne this week after Stuart picked up an injury,” said Ferguson, who has to lift his players ahead of a trip to faltering champions Cliftonville this Saturday (3pm).

“They are still a good side and capable of scoring goals. I don’t know whether it’s a good time or a bad one to play them.

“Their current form is something similar to our own but we’ll go there with a gameplan and see what we can do.

“These are the games I don’t fear because I know the boys will put in good performances against the so-called bigger sides.

“The league table doesn’t lie but if you look at our performances, the guys who do the stats tell me we created 18 chances against Glentoran and 15 the previous week so it’s not as if we’re not playing well enough against the big teams to create chances.

Gary Thompson will be assessed this week after picking up a thigh strain in the County Antrim Shield semi-final defeat by Crusaders, but Stephen McBride should be available for the trip to Solitude.

* Seven Towers Supporters’ Club transport leaves Henry Street car park at 2pm.