’Stute ready for derby tie

The Waterside men, who have defeated Davy Platt’s side twice already this season, are in some what in different form in recent weeks as they have suffered four defeats in their last six league outings.

Nevertheless Head of Development Paul Kee is confident the extra training sessions, which the squad have been doing will benefit them.

“I’m expecting a tough game but at the same time we are working in the right direction,” admitted Kee.

“The players are investing good time in the club in their own personal development, so hopefully we have enough to win the match and I would anticipate us putting in a good performance.

“All you can ask for from players is that they give it their best and I have had no complaints from day one the training has been good, they have worked hard, they come well prepared and they are giving it there very best, in fact the last couple of weeks we have been training three nights a week and they are buying into it.

“They (Limavady) will probably feel a grieved with the North West Senior match, where they had chances and had good ownership of the game but we won 1-0 and they might be licking their wounds because of the 2-0 league game and because of that they’ll want to make it third time lucky for themselves.

“It’s a derby match and that’s going to add that extra bit of spice to the tie, but we have home advantage and I know that they’ll be coming here extra determined because we have beaten them twice already this season.

Kee was also full of praise for the likes of Stephen Parkhouse and Paddy McLaughlin in particular, who’s leadership skills are coming to fore.

“We have got good examples from the senior players and we want that to continue, so hopefully that wee bit extra we are investing will help improve performances on the pitch as well.

“We had a good week to prepare for the game, the players are training well at the minute and I think everybody is well aware that there could possibly be changes and players are now trying to up their ante, which is good for us.”

Defender John Curran again misses out through suspension, but the centre-back isn’t likely to return to the squad until after Christmas with his knee problem, while youngster Darren McFadden broke his ankle at the weekend and is to be out action for a number of weeks, however the rest of the squad is fully fit.

“John is suspended but with his injury he is likely to be out for another few weeks, but most of the rest of the squad should be back, I would like to think (Sean) Friars will be back and the good thing this week is that we trained with a good intensity.”