Jim Magilton set to give Coleraine players an opportunity as two players suffer injuries amid busy schedule
Amid a busy schedule for his Cliftonville side, a defiant Jim Magilton says he is going to need everyone for the final few months of the season.
The Reds saw their four-match winning run come to an end at the Coleraine Showgrounds on Saturday as Will Patching’s 50th-minute strike separated the two sides.
Since February 21, Magilton’s side have played seven times in all competitions but their squad has been stretched with recent setbacks suffered to Adebayo Fapetu and Joe Gormley.
"We're going to have to utilise our bench to the best of our ability and the lads have been outstanding and we've got to continue,” he said.
"There's a few walking wounded in there today.
"We're always hopeful that we have a full group to select from, but it's not the case for any of the managers, so we acknowledge that and I'm not moaning about that because once someone gets injured, it gives another player who's chomping at it an opportunity.”
Magilton was less than impressed with several refereeing decisions in the loss at The Showgrounds – which saw Brian Healy have a goal disallowed for offside.
He added: "I don’t think there’s an advantage which led to Shaun Leppard being penalised for the goal and I think Brian Healy is onside for the goal that was ruled out at the other end.
"I thought our attitude and application given our schedule was just outstanding today and to come up here and to play in the manner in which we played and the passages that we had…I'm very pleased and we've just got to nurse everybody through the next few days.”