Kyle will keep an eye on big brother

Should both players feature in the match, it will be the first time the north Belfast siblings will have faced each other in a competitive fixture.

Owens junior - a towering centre-back - was signed on loan from the Seaview outfit in January before making the move permanent in the summer. He has now established himself as an integral part of Michael Hughes’ defence, striking up a good partnership with the experienced Gary Haveron.

Carrick have no game this weekend and go into the midweek clash at Dixon Park on the back of the confidence-boosting 6-0 defeat of Dergview. They remain unbeaten in all competitions but Owens knows it will take a monumental effort to topple the current holders.

“Crusaders are a brilliant side, they are very strong,” he told the Times. “They may have a couple missing, but they will have others to fill in so it will be a good match. They haven’t been going the best this year but it will be big test and, hopefully, we will get the result.

“I have already been talking to Jordan about the match. He hasn’t really been getting a crack at the Crues this season but he could play against us.

“As a player he likes to make a nuisance of himself. I have only played against him once before in pre-season friendly when we drew 1-1 with them. I have never played against him in a competitive match - even when we were growing up.

“He’s a handful to mark; he moves in and out to lose his man but I’ll get there with him. If I make sure he doesn’t score, I’ll be alright!”

Owens said he’s wary of the attacking threat posed by former Carrick star Paul Heatley who joined Stephen Baxter’s men earlier this year.

Heatley is a hero at Rangers having helped fire them to the Championship title and netting the winning goal in the Intermediate Cup final in 2011.

“Paul is a smashing player,” said Owens. “He’s unbelievable and it’s good to see him moving forward at the Crues.

“Westy (Ian West) kept him quiet in the friendly at Seaview in the summer so we will just have to see how it goes.”

Report by John Gillespie | Twitter @Times_Sport