CLIFTONVILLE trainer Gerard 'Skin' Lyttle says the potential within the Reds squad this year is "scary" and believes the reigning champions are in a good place ahead of this afternoon's league clash with Institute.
Tommy Breslin's men suffered only their third league defeat of the season away to Coleraine last weekend but are still within reach of the summit, currently occupied by Portadown.
"I still think there is plenty more to come - from individuals and certainly as a team," said Lyttle.
"I honestly don't think we've hit top form yet - nowhere near it - which is scary.
"From what I've seen over the last few seasons I think there are still two or three more gears in the team. We're just doing enough in games sometimes.
"We're just three points off the top and we still have a lot more in us."
Lyttle revealed Chris Curran returned to light training on Thursday night but won't feature against Institute this afternoon.
To compound Cliftonville's right-sided problems, Stevie Garrett has already been ruled out for the rest of the season after snapping his cruciate.
But Lyttle says the manager still has good options down the right flank.
"Marty Murray is knocking on the door and Jay Donnelly can play on the right even though he's better through the middle. I rate Jay very highly. He's a great future ahead of him."
Lyttle admitted the Reds players were probably a "bit jaded" following last weekend's 2-0 defeat to the Bannsiders at Ballycastle Road but expects them to be firing on all cylinders ahead of their busy Christmas schedule.
"Coleraine are a bit of a bogey team, even though I hate that word, because it can rub off on the players. But the boys just seemed a wee bit jaded after having extra-time in the Co Antrim Shield semi-final [against Ards] and the pitch was very heavy.
"Ricky [McCann] and I have a programme in place for the Christmas period because it's an important time of the season."