The massive Big Two showdown with main title protagonists Glentoran is a mouth-watering clash between the current top two teams in the country.

Linfield boast a slender one-point advantage over their fierce rivals, and also have the added advantage of a precious game in hand.

Victory on Mersey Street would gift Gault and the Blues a healthy cushion at the top, but an under par performance could see the Glens surge to the Premiership summit.

“We are all looking forward to it. It is a Big Two clash between first and second in the league standings. You couldn’t ask for more,” the 25-year-old said.

“We have to go out and try and get a positive result, but we will have to be on top of our game.

“We expect Glentoran to be firing on all cylinders on Saturday, so we have to fight fire with fire and beat them in every department. You can’t afford to have an off day in a Big two derby, so we have to be ready for the battle.”

Linfield have answered every question posed to them in the JJB Sports Premiership this season.

Unbeaten, and with an impressive ‘for’ and ‘against’ goal record, David Jeffrey’s all-conquering Blues are already blazing a trail in the top flight.

Included in the six victories gained so far have been gutsy results against early high flyers Lisburn Distillery, Crusaders and Coleraine.

But for Gault, today’s trip to east Belfast presents the sternest test to date.

“This will be the hardest one so far – no doubt about it,” the Northern Ireland international said.

“We have done well against some quality opposition this season, and people are still saying we aren’t playing well.

“But we are pleased with the way things are going. We are top of the league and are getting the results we need. Hopefully that can continue on Saturday.

“We need to be wary of Glentoran, though, because they will be all out for victory. You have to expect that.”

Gault is returning to full fitness after a nasty shoulder injury on the opening day of the season sidelined the midfielder for three weeks.

He returned as a first half substitute against Glentoran in the recent Setanta Cup defeat at Windsor Park, a result that certainly dented the pride of the Blues faithful.

“It was a disappointing defeat. To lose 4-1 to Glentoran is hard to take, and it doesn’t matter what competition it is in,” he added.

“We just didn’t perform that night, and Glentoran deservedly won. But I don’t think it was a 4-1 game. It was one of those nights.

“The main thing is that we don’t have a repeat of it on Saturday.