Midfielders miss trip to City

The Waterside men, whose league game at Dergview was called off due to a waterlogged pitch last weekend, will be without duo Aaron Walsh, Joe Gray and if expected Neil Harkin looks set to sign for Dergview before Friday’s transfer deadline.

Kee knows however it’s going to be a tough ask for his side at the Showgrounds, particularly coming up against a side, which lost 3-0 at Carrick Rangers last Saturday.

“By all accounts they were a wee bit unfortunate not to have got something from the Carrick game,” admitted Kee.

“The report we got on them from the Carrick match was that they lacked a wee bit in the final third but played some good stuff.

“Because of that we’ll be playing a side who will be smarting from that defeat and they’ll want to put that right particularly with them being at home.

“Having said all that it’s all about what we do and make sure that we do our job and I feel if we do that then we are capable enough to get a positive result.”

’Stute, who last year suffered a 3-0 defeat at Newry, will be looking to maintain their unbeaten start in the league this season and despite the absentees Kee is convinced his squad is stronger this campaign.

“It will be a tough game for us, we know that, but unlike last season I feel we have a bigger and better squad to choose from. We lost up there last year but it was early on at the start of the season and we were still trying to gel as a team and we had a few players missing.

“This time around I feel it’s different because although we are going to be down Aaron (Walsh), Joe (Gray) and Neil (Harkin) the squad particularly attacking wise we have more options and I am hopeful whatever changes we make it won’t affect us too much.

“As I have said we have a bigger squad this year and that means more competition for places.

“I think last Thursday night at training we had 26 players all capable of starting, in fact they all wanted to be either starting or be a part of the 16 man squad, so there is always going to be 10 players disappointed, but those players have to understand that’s a squad game nowadays.

“Hopefully the players will understand that and we’ll be able to manage them and be fair to them as best we can, so that by the end of the season they will all feel they have contributed.”

In fact Kee is likely to give young players James McClay and Corey Hegarty a chance this weekend.

“Because of the players missing I think it will mean James McClay will come into the picture and young Corey Hegarty has come back from the Milk Cup and looked sharp and has done really well in training, so he also will probably feature.

“Corey took his goal well on Monday night and he has been absolutely flying in training, he is exciting to watch and he has got good creatively and ability, he’s small but he’s deceptive and he’s a strong wee boy. So we are pleased that he made an impact and that will do his confidence the world of good.”