CLIFTONVILLE boss Gerard Lyttle has several injury doubts ahead of Tuesday night’s County Antrim Shield quarter-final against Linfield at Windsor Park.
Jude Winchester, Marty Donnelly and Daniel Hughes are all rated “doubtful” by Lyttle following last weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Glentoran at the Oval.
The Reds boss also indicated he would “make a few changes” as they aim to topple the Blues twice in seven days following their 2-1 league win over the Blues at Solitude last week. Cliftonville overcame Bangor 7-1 in their opening Shield encounter with Linfield sweeping aside Donegal Celtic.
Ballymena United boss David Jeffrey, who are holders, expects a positive reaction from his players after suffering a surprise 5-0 defeat at Glenavon on Saturday as they host Ards, who came back three times at home to Dungannon Swifts to draw 3-3.
Gary Haveron’s Glentoran host Crusaders in their quarter-final clash while Albert Foundry and PSNI battle it for a semi-final berth at Seaview. All games kick-off at 7.45pm.
Elsewhere, Crusaders have been given an Irn-Bru Cup reprieve after their conquerors Livingston fielded an ineligible player in their 2-1 win on October 7.
Livingston defender Alan Lithgow played while under suspension but, rather than punish the Scottish League One with expulsion, the competition's authorities have been fined £4,000 and ordered to replay the game at Seaview on November 1.
“In the interests of sporting integrity and fairness to both sides, the game will be replayed,” said SPFL chief Neil Doncaster.
Toal’s County Antrim Shield quarter-finals (7.45pm): Linfield v Cliftonville, Ballymena United v Ards, Glentoran v Crusaders, Albert Foundry v PSNI
