Influential midfield maestro Neil McCafferty is facing up to two months on the sidelines following a training ground injury.
McCafferty has developed into a crucial part of the Portadown gameplan and his absence was certainly felt in the 2-0 defeat away to Ballinamallard United.
The Ports’ attempts to resurrect the Danske Bank Premiership campaign following just one win in seven fixtures must now take place without McCafferty’s midfield vision in the short term. McCafferty aggravated a knee injury sustained early in the season during an incident last week in training and the initial assessment is a lay-off of at least six weeks.
A scan has been booked to reveal the full extent of the medial ligament damage on his right knee.
McCafferty’s unavailability last weekend – along with that of Keith O’Hara and Kevin Braniff – exposed the lack of experience in the Ports squad.
Ronnie McFall, the Ports boss, has previously highlighted his willingness to move in the January transfer window to salvage the season. However, his immediate call is for those connected to the club to band together until the turnaround in fortunes he anticipates eventually kicks in.
“At the minute it really is a case of one for all and all for one,” said McFall. “It is not about a lack of talent and I am happy with my activity in terms of working the budget to keep who we wanted on the books from last season and bringing in new players.
“You have to take into account that young players will need time to adjust and adapt.
“With Kevin, Keith and Neil out I think the average age of the side on Saturday was 21 years old.
“We are better than results would suggest I feel and in certain games the rub of the green has gone against us.
“One good win could turn it around and, at the minute, it does not matter how we get those points to be honest.”
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