Cliftonville boss Gerard Lyttle will have a selection dilemma ahead of this evening’s crucial Europa League First Qualifying Round Second Leg clash with Differdange 03 at Solitude.
Lyttle has three players vying for places with Jaimie McGovern returning from suspension, Tomas Cosgrove available after a holiday and Chris Ramsey hoping for a debut following his honeymoon.
The Reds drew 1-1 in Luxembourg in the first leg with youngster Ross Lavery, who came through the youth system at Solitude, scoring a vital away goal two minutes from time in Luxembourg and he will also be pushing for a start. The fixture will also see competitive home debuts for summer signings, goalkeeper Jason Mooney and defender Jason McGuinness.
Lavery’s late strike could well prove to be crucial for the North Belfast men as they hold a vital away goal going into this evening’s clash.
The winners of the tie are likely to face AEK Larnaca in the second qualifying round, with the Greek side holding a 3-0 first leg lead against San Marino’s SS Forgore.
Meanwhile, David Healy’s Linfield will be looking to overturn a 1-0 first leg deficit when they travel to Turner’s Cross to take on Cork City.
Sean Maguire converted a penalty on 63 minutes to give the Leesiders the advantage the last time out while Healy will again have to do without defenders Jimmy Callacher (honeymoon) and Sean Ward (injury).
Cork boss John Caulfield, whose side have won eight out of their last ten league matches and sit second in the Premier Division table, hopes to have Michael McSweeney involved although doubts remain over Karl Sheppard, Steven Beattie and Greg Bolger, while John Dunleavy, John Kavanagh and Alan Smith will all definitely miss out.
A minute's applause will take place at the tie as a mark of respect to Linfield fan William Ritchie who died during last week's first leg, while Linfield players will also wear black armbands during the game. The winners of the tie will set up a meeting with Swedish aside BK Hacken.
The third Danske Bank Premiership side in Europa League action tonight, Glenavon, will also have to come from behind if they want to progress to the second qualifying round for the first time.
Gary Hamilton’s Lurgan Blues trail 2-1 from the first leg away from home against Icelandic outfit KR Reykjavik and have it all to do at Mourneview Park if they are to retain an interest in this season’s competition.
Defender Simon Kelly had put them in front early on last week when he headed home Andy Hall’s corner but the hosts equalised just before half-time before going on to win 2-1 with a penalty 11 minutes from time.
David Elebert should be available for selection after recovering from injury while Andy McGrory has returned from holiday and could feature.
In the Champions League first qualifying round, Gibraltar’s Lincoln overturned a 2-1 first leg deficit to win 2-0 at home to Flora Tallinn of Estonia last night and set up a glamopur meeting weith Celtic at the next stage.
Joseph Chipolina converted a penalty a quarter of an hour in before second half substitute Antonio Calderon score eight minutes after coming on to seal the minnows’ trip to Celtic Park to take on Brendan Rodgers’ men with the first leg coming next week.
