IRISH LEAGUE: Oran Kearney wary of squad preservation ahead of Europa League play-offs

The Bannsiders have three Danske Bank Premiership fixtures remaining this season – starting with Tuesday’s trip to Glenavon.

After that Kearney will turn his full focus to the innovative play-offs, contested between the teams that finish from third to seventh in the final league standings.

And while momentum would be beneficial going into those ties, Kearney insists squad preservation is equally as important.

“It would be nice to go into the play-offs on the back of two or three wins, but at the same time we want everyone fit and available,” Kearney said.

“It has been a long season and there are some weary legs. We don’t want our best players sitting in the stands when it comes to the play-offs. We need them on the pitch.

“So we have to be smart in the remaining three league games.

“This is the league and there’s a semi-final of a cup coming up. The next few games for us are about preparing for those games.

“We’ve players like Ruairi Harkin who are carrying a few aches and pains, who we decided to rest so they can hit the ground running in that semi-final.”