THIRD-PLACED Larne go into Friday's Sports Direct Premiership game with an added spring in their step with the news of US investment in the club.
However, the players on the pitch have a job to do, with Carrick Rangers the visitors to Inver Park.
The Port side are the only team in the league who remain undefeated, although manager Tiernan Lynch will have hoped for a greater ruthlessness from his players, having drawn three of their seven games so far.
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Opponents Carrick sit in ninth and despite having some impressive results – a draw away at Linfield – they have also had some chastening defeats like the 9-0 hammering to Crusaders.
Andy Ryan and Lee Bonis have been the go-to men for goals for the Inver side, with seven goals between them.
Carrick manager Stuart King will be hoping Danny Purkis can hit a rich vein of form after his simmer move from Glentoran.
In last season’s encounters Rangers performed admirably against Lynch’s side, losing by a single goal on two occasions and managing a draw at Inver Park, something few sides managed. However, the odds are stacked against Castle town in this east Antrim derby.
It’s a basement battle at the Newry Showgrounds with 11th-placed Newry City hosting Dungannon Swifts, who sit one place above.
Both sides have struggled for consistency this term and will be desperate to claim three points that may bring them as high as eighth in the table.
Newry have conceded a shocking 22 goals in their eight games so far, whilst only scoring eight, a stat that will give Dungannon coach Rodney McAree optimism that his side can take the three points back to Tyrone.
