Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins has revealed the Bannsiders rejected a “substantial approach” for one of their players in the closing stages of last summer’s transfer window – highlighting the unpredictable nature of the market.

Higgins has compiled a star-studded squad throughout his time in charge of Coleraine with Joel Cooper, Conor McMenamin, Will Patching, Ben Doherty and Mark Coyle amongst their high-profile arrivals, but has also had to fight off interest in his top talent.

Coleraine entered the current Premiership campaign as title favourites and started with an impressive win at Dungannon Swifts before drawing 0-0 against main Gibson Cup rivals Larne on Saturday.

While Higgins would be happy to continue beyond the transfer window’s closure without adding further to his panel, he used an example from last summer to show how things can potentially change quickly.

placeholder image — Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins. (Photo by Desmond Loughery/Pacemaker Press)

"You never know, you never ever know,” said Higgins on BBC Sportsound. “At the end of last summer's window we had an approach from a club about one of our players, a substantial approach, and we turned it down.

"You never know, there's always people looking at players and looking at our players, but I don't see us doing loads (of business), if any, we'll see.

"If we can get a few off the injury table (I'll be happy).

"It's well documented that defensively we've had numbers missing. Aidan Wilson coming on (against Larne) was a big, big plus for us.

"He hadn't trained for four weeks or so, he trained twice (during the week) and did really well. Rowan McDonald came off with an injury, another defensive-minded player.

"We can't seem to keep our players in that area of the pitch fit but we have a fantastic physio and medical team. I have no doubt we'll get there."

Coleraine have been without goalkeeper Ryan Schofield at the start of their Premiership campaign after the ex-Huddersfield Town shot-stopper had to undergo surgery for a facial injury sustained in training.

Lewis Webb was named ‘Player of the Match’ for his performance in the stalemate with Larne last weekend with the 24-year-old making two vital saves for his side.

Former Cardiff City and Newport County youngster Webb, who signed a Coleraine contract extension in January, has had to bide his time for an Irish League opportunity, but received high praise from boss Higgins.

"Webby is a really good young goalkeeper and he’s had to be patient,” added Higgins. “It wasn’t vintage us by any stretch (against Larne), but four points from two games and we move on.”