'Stute up for the cup

Then the Waterside men host title contenders Linfield on Saturday (KO 3pm), before entertaining bottom club Lisburn Distillery next Tuesday night (KO 7.45pm) and boss John Gregg knows his players need to raise their game if they want to get a positive result from any of their next three matches.

"We know we have a lot of big games coming up, and the players shouldn't need any motivation for any of the matches," he said.

"I don't normally criticise the players in public after games, but on Saturday against Ballymoney I couldn't defend them, because it simply wasn't good enough.

"However we got out of jail and have a chance to rectify that poor display in the replay tonight and now the players know what they'll be coming up against.

"Ballymoney were a well organised and hard working side, so we'll need to work just as hard and raise our game if we want to progress to the next round."

As for the encounter against the Blues, Gregg acknowledges he's looking forward for his side to pit their wits against David Jeffrey's side.

"The Linfield match is going to be a massive one for us, but to be honest I and all the players are just glad to be back playing football," he added.

"We know that Linfield are a quality team and are once again challenging for honours; they face Crusaders in the Paddy Power County Antrim Shield final tonight and have re-signed Peter Thompson, so that just proves the quality which they have in their squad.

"As for ourselves we have lost Mark Scoltock and Stephen Parkhouse, while Ruairi Boyle is out for another few weeks; Scolty and Parky were big players for us and with Boyler now injured it makes life even more difficult for us, however we have to get on with it and it also means someone else in the squad will get a chance."

On the plus side the Drumahoe side welcome back striker Paul Lowry and centre-back Paddy McLaughlin for this evening Irish Cup replay.

With the transfer window still open, Gregg may lose one or two more players with Shaun Holmes believed to be attracting interest from fellow Carling Premiership side Coleraine.

"I'm aware of Coleraine's interest but I don't want Shaun to leave the club, Austin Friel has also been released," concluded Gregg.