Glenavon star feels 'if we get him flying, we will be ok' as club look to avoid Irish League relegation

Campbell missed most of the opening two months of the current campaign through injury, but is now returning to full fitness and scored his side’s third goal in their 3-1 weekend league win over Ballymena United.

The 28-year-old is Glenavon’s talisman and produced statistically his best performance of the season on Saturday, providing seven key passes for team-mates and was awarded a rating of 9.1 by Sofascore – the highest of any Premiership player across the weekend’s action.

Former Loughgall attacker Campbell netted seven league goals last term and having now opened his account for this season, Quinn knows just how important his form will be to Glenavon’s survival bid.

"A big boost is getting Peter back from his long-term injury,” he told the club’s media channel. “Peter just has that driving force with the way he plays and he urges everybody else on through how he plays.

"He's a real leader for the squad and his fitness coming back, you're starting to see a change in our side. He gives you plenty of energy.

"Since he has came back, he's probably been a bit rusty but that's natural and normal. We are starting to get the best out of Peter now, he's tidying up his touches around the corner and his confidence is starting to come back. If we get him flying, we will be ok."

Former Linfield star Quinn, who was named interim manager alongside Davy McDaid following Paddy McLaughlin’s exit earlier this season, is also working his way back to full fitness in another boost for the Lurgan Blues.

The 32-year-old has started in four of Glenavon’s last five league matches, including their wins over Glentoran and Ballymena at Mourneview Park.

"I've been ok,” he added. “I have had some niggles but that's just part and parcel at my age.

"I feel fit...I had a bit of a stop-start pre-season through my wedding and honeymoon so I'm getting back to full fitness. There's a long way to go but I'm enjoying every single minute on the pitch.”

Since Michael O’Connor’s appointment, the Co Armagh club have won three consecutive home matches and will be looking to make it four on the trot when Bangor visit Lurgan on Saturday.

Glenavon remain seven points adrift of Carrick Rangers, who have three matches in hand, at the bottom while Crusaders are eight points better off at this stage.

"From now on, it's important we never get too high or too low,” said Quinn. “We've enjoyed this and we'll work towards Bangor.

"Our home form has been fantastic so hopefully we can get four from four now.”