O’Flynn expected to return to face title contenders Dundela

Institute manager Paul Kee has described this Saturday’s home encounter with fellow title contenders Dundela, as the biggest game of the season.
Institute striker Darren McFadden sees this cross blocked by Coagh United's Stephen Glasgow. INLS1014-158KMInstitute striker Darren McFadden sees this cross blocked by Coagh United's Stephen Glasgow. INLS1014-158KM
Institute striker Darren McFadden sees this cross blocked by Coagh United's Stephen Glasgow. INLS1014-158KM

The Waterside men currently sit just a point ahead of the Belfast out-fit, but Mark Snodden’s side have two games in hand.

“It is our biggest game of the season,” Kee insisted.

“We have a massive opportunity to consolidate our lead at the top of the table and Dundela will be just as eager.

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“There is a massive incentive for them and there is a massive incentive for us.

“I’ve said to the players that we can’t lose the league on Saturday but we can go a long way towards winning it by getting the three points.”

With the game being so important the Drumahoe club are hoping last month’s NIFWA Championship Player of the Month and in-form striker Stephen O’Flynn returns from injury.

Despite being a big player the ’Stute gaffer concedes unless the Cork native has fully recovered from his groin problem then he wouldn’t risk him.

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The former Derry City man has netted nine goals in five games and more importantly he netted the winner at Bangor a few weeks ago but it’s his overall experience that will be needed both on and off the pitch in this big game.

Apart from O’Flynn returning the likes of Paddy McLaughlin, Graham Crown, Michael Doherty and Darren McCauley will also be looking to return to the starting eleven, but Ryan Semple is struggling after he picked up a knock during the Coagh United tie last weekend.

“O’Flynn has been training and he was even thinking about giving 20 minutes against Coagh.

“He trained hard the day before the game so we didn’t want to risk him, but he’ll train again this week.

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“We don’t want to rush him back and then have another setback.

“If we’re going to play him on Saturday, he has to be 100 per cent happy and he will be because he’s such a professional.

“If he’s not right we won’t play him but we’re hoping and anticipating that he will be involved at some stage, hopefully starting.”

’Stute are on a fantastic run having won seven out of their last eight games and Kee hopes that run continues this weekend.

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Last weekend Kee rested the likes of Michael Doherty, skipper Paddy McLaughlin, midfielder Gary Henderson, while pair Graham Crown and Darren McCauley, who have been influential in recent weeks, came off the bench against Coagh United.

“We’ve got the momentum going now in the league and we’re also hoping to have Stephen O’Flynn back.

“We also rested several players against Coagh, the likes of McCauley, Crown and McLaughlin and it’s worked out well for us.

“We needed to get the win against Coagh, by hook or by crook, and we got it through penalties.

“It was fortuitous but we got over the line. That strengthens the winning mentality.

“It’s nice to win ugly and that’s what we did against Coagh.”