SHEA TO GO!

And there could be more on their way with Portadown defender Chris Coleman training with the club with a view to signing on loan from Ronnie McFall's men.

But the Town boss has also denied that Mark Whitla is on his way out of Crystal Park despite rumours that a Carling Premiership side are interested in his signature.

McGerrigan, 21, has been unable to get game time at Stangmore Park and so Malone has been able to make the capture. He has also been with Armagh City this season on loan.

McBirney has suffered the same problem with City and so he has joined to get a few games under his belt.

Malone was pleased to have captured both players and said he was hoping to make the further addition of Coleman before the January transfer window closes.

He said, "Philly's been surplus to requirements at City so we have signed him to shore up our rearguard. He's a defender who can provide us with a bit of cover.

"Shea is a great player and I'm delighted to have got him. He's a talented player and he's a welcome addition to the squad.

"I've spoken to Ronnie McFall with a view to taking Chris on loan but as yet nothing's happened. He is training with us and he even played the second half of our friendly against the Ports last week but at the moment it is all about him finding out about us."

Malone denied talk that there had been an official approach from Glenavon for Whitla, although he did not rule out that he could be leaving in the near future.

"There has been no word through me or the Chairman so as far as I'm concerned he's our player," stated Malone.

"Mark's done a good job for us over the last two seasons and he is the sort of player we need so I would hope that he will be with us for a while yet."

Meanwhile Town returned to action with two games played in the past week.

They played Portadown at Cheney Park on Tuesday night and on Saturday morning they also hosted Queens University at the same venue.

"The games have been very good for us," said Malone. "We needed a few games just to keep us going because with the break that has been enforced on us we have done very little in terms of fitness and match practice.

"We were grateful to get the Ports in on Tuesday night although I know they too were keen to get some football played.

"It's good to be back training and hopefully we'll be back in the swing of things very soon.

Town have arranged a number of other fixtures as they try and resume normal service over the coming weeks.

Tonight (Tuesday) they play Seapatrick at Cheney Park with a 6.30pm start and on Saturday Harland and Wolff Welders come to Cheney (2.30pm).

On Tuesday January 26 Town travel to Loughgall in their re-arranged league game (7.30pm kick off) and on Saturday January 30 Annagh United come to Cheney for another game on the astroturf (11.30am start).