Former Ballymena United star Tony Kane hopes the arrival of “one of the best midfielders in the Irish League” Fuad Sule can act as a catalyst to push the Sky Blues away from potential relegation threat.

Sule made his debut in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to old club Glentoran after returning to Northern Ireland’s top-flight from Indonesia on deadline day.

The 29-year-old previously won the Premiership title with Larne and established a reputation as one of the Irish League’s best in his position.

Sule, who was linked with a host of clubs across the water during his previous stint, made 72 Premiership appearances for the Glens and joins a Ballymena side currently level on points with 11th-placed Crusaders in the race to avoid a relegation play-off.

placeholder image — Fuad Sule joined Ballymena United during the recent transfer window. (Photo by Desmond Loughery/Pacemaker Press)

Oran Kearney’s side host the Crues in a crunch clash on Tuesday evening and Kane hopes Sule’s arrival can help provide a spark.

"Over the years, Ballymena have always had a talisman-type player,” he said. “Gary McCutcheon was one, then Cush (David Cushley) was one, Shay McCartan, and there have been others over the years who have come in and been standout signings.

"They always seem to pull one out of the bag and Sule is a great signing, he has proven he's one of the best midfielders in the Irish League over the years at the Glens and Larne. He was brilliant for Larne.

"You go through their dressing room, they have Patrick and Shane McEleney, Matthew Clarke, Sule now, if they can get those boys ticking then they should pick up results sooner rather than later.

"Sometimes it doesn't work like that, sometimes for some reason it won't work, but Sule should get them ticking.”

Across the last 15 Premiership matches played by each team, no side has collected fewer points (nine) or scored less goals (15) than Ballymena.

They’ve won just one of eight since Kearney replaced Jim Ervin in the dugout, but Kane hopes fortunes can change quickly for his former club.

"Over the years you've seen it, it's about a team gelling, working hard and grinding out results,” he added. “I'm sure Oran and Barry Johnston, now they've got players in that they want, it's just about getting games now.

"It seems like forever since they've played at home, but hopefully when they get one result under their belt they can go on a run because it's tight down there. They're going to need to start picking up points.

"Everybody is taking points off each other. Carrick have put a massive run together and got themselves out of it, they're away now.

"Probably from Portadown down, it'll be between those teams (for relegation play-off). I can see Bangor picking up points at home because it's a tough place to go.

"I hope Ballymena aren't down there towards the end of this season because it's a massive club and doesn't reflect where they should be, but if you don't pick up the points then you'll be down there."