Dylan Boyle tips Coleraine team-mate to hit the ground running at The Showgrounds

McMenamin elected to return to the Irish League this summer after the Bannsiders agreed a fee with Scottish side St Mirren.

The Downpatrick native started in the Conference League first-leg against HJK Helsinki but has been named as a sub for the subsequent three competitive games thereafter.

However, Boyle has full faith that ex-Glentoran and Cliftonville ace McMenamin will soon return to terrorising defences across the Irish League in the near future when he is picked from the start by chief Ruaidhri Higgins.

He explained: “It's a transitional period, isn't it? You aren't going to come in straight away and hit the ground running but obviously everyone would love for that to happen.

"Mac has been brilliant every day in training, he turns up and he works hard.

"The tough thing is for the manager is that he's got such a talented bunch of forward players to pick from every week.

"It's one of them ones where the attacking players in our team are going to have to buy their time this season.

"When they do get that chance, I'm sure they're going to take it. It's the same with Conor. I'm sure if he does get his chance, if and when it comes, he'll take it with two hands.”

Coleraine’s attacking options are plentiful as Joel Cooper and Matthew Shevlin are currently being tasked to lead the line, with the likes of Jay Henderson, Senan Devine, Ben Wylie, Lewis McGregor, Will Patching and Connor Murray providing the ammunition.

"All of our forward players are at such a level where it's tough to get in the team,” Boyle reasoned.

"We might only be able to pick two out of six attacking players every week. It's one for the manager that he has to think about, which is a tough decision for him.

“Conor (McMenamin) has come back from Scotland and probably for the last couple of years there, he's maybe played more as a wing-back or in a different sort of position.

"It's that transitional period too, where you're coming in this side with the likes of Cooper and Shevlin last year, who had 20 all-plus goals each between them.

"Everybody has to fight for their place again, and he's the same. He'll come in every day and have to fight for his place.”

Coleraine continue their Premiership campaign on Saturday with a trip to Carrick Rangers, who have won their two league contests to date.

"There's no easy games in this league, especially now,” explained former Fleetwood Town ace Boyle.

"Even with the part-time teams and the calibre of players that they've brought in, especially Carrick.

"They've recruited really well since Stephen Baxter’s been appointed in the last couple of years.

"There's no easy games in this league and Carrick will certainly not be one of them.

"You can see already with the two results they've got."