Portadown defender Keith O’Hara is out of Saturday’s Mid Ulster derby against Glenavon at Shamrock Park.
The long-serving utility player sustained a foot injury in his team’s fabulous Irish Cup win at Coleraine last weekend.
However, he heaved a sigh of relief in midweek after x-rays revealed he hadn’t broken a metatarsal, which was originally diagnosed
O’Hara is one of a posse of first team regulars that will watch from the grandstand today. He will be joined by Chris Ramsay, Gary Twigg, Garry Breen and Tim Mouncey.
“It’s been a nightmare season in terms of injury,” claims Ports boss Ronnie McFall.
“We thought the worst regarding O’Hara. Thankfully, the x-rays showed there was no break, just severe bruising. He’s had no luck at all this season.
“Twigg is still bothered with a thigh problem. Breen has a hamstring problem and Mouncey has a knee injury. Ramsay is out for three months with a ruptured hamstring.”
McFall is naturally disappointed that Portadown fans have yet to see the best of new signing Twigg – snapped up in the January transfer window from Shamrock Rovers.
“He came into the team and started really well. But he then picked up niggle after niggle which culminated in this thigh problem.
“There is no point rushing him back. The supporters will see the best of Twigg when he regains full fitness.”
The Irish Cup is now the priority for everyone at Shamrock Park.
“Yes, it’s a big incentive,” adds McFall. “But we have plenty of important league games looming. We want to pick as many points as possible.”
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