Striker Farren out foranother six weeks

The Derry City record goal-scorer has been struck with injuries for most of the season so far and during Friday night’s defeat, tore his calf muscle before having to be taken off.

Farren has started just three league games in a frustrating term and is now likely to be sidelined until the end of November.

“It’s a devastating blow to lose Mark again but we have enough players we are able to deal with it,” said manager Gary Hamilton.

“Mark was our key striker when he joined the club last season. He was our best goal-scorer. It’s a blow not to have been able to have him in the team so far this season. Still we’re sitting third in the table. You can only imagine where we could be if we had a fit Mark Farren in the squad this season as well.”

On-loan striker Andrew Mitchell bagged his first league goal of the season during Ards’ 3-1 win over Portadown on Saturday but Hamilton says Farren’s injury won’t mean a quick return to Mourneview Park for the 20 year-old.

“We are well covered in the forward positions without having to bring Andrew back yet. He can’t be recalled to the club until January anyway and hopefully by then we’ll have Mark back to fitness again.

“Andrew needs to get games, that’s why we sent him out on loan. We speak to the management team at Ards regularly about him. He’s been doing well for them. Hopefully he’ll play more 90 minutes because we need him to have his fitness up and to be able to last.

“He’s scoring and assisting goals though and is doing well.”