Transfer boost on deadline day as Bangor confirm signing plus numbers lift before league road trip
Bangor chief Lee Feeney is hopeful of having five or six bodies back at his disposal ahead of Tuesday night’s rescheduled fixture away at Carrick Rangers.
The league trip arrives after a transfer deadline day boost with confirmation of Oisin Devlin’s permanent switch from Larne.
The 19-year-old midfielder initially signed on loan from Larne but Bangor announced on the January window’s deadline day his “contract with the Seasiders until the summer of 2028”.
The Seasiders make their way to Taylors Avenue in Premiership action after the original fixture had to be abandoned following a serious injury to Paul Heatley back in September.
Bangor were leading the game 1-0 thanks to an early Ben Arthurs goal but the game was abandoned by referee Christopher Morrison after Heatley required hospital treatment after colliding with a wall just eight minutes into the second half.
Bangor were missing around 10 players through injury and suspension last weekend as they went down 2-0 to title challengers Coleraine at Clandeboye Park.
But Feeney is expected to welcome more than half of those back as they face the in-form ‘Gers.
"We have a tough February...we have a really competitive February in fact,” he said.
“We've had full-time teams there over the last month or so and it takes it out of us.
"We've picked up injuries, suspensions through tiredness and lazy tackles, so we're just going to have to recover ahead of big, big game on Tuesday night.
"Carrick are flying at the minute, they really, really are. It doesn't surprise me because the players they have, have all been there, done it and they've got quality, so I'm not surprised that they're in a bit of form.
"We'll have hopefully five or six back for Tuesday – so it's going to be decisions for me to make.
"I would rather have that than last Saturday where it was bringing the boys back from loan and stuff to be beef out the squad.
"Hopefully, we will be in a wee bit more in a healthier condition.”
Carrick are currently six games unbeaten in all competitions after winning 3-0 away at Portadown last time out.
The club have announced on social media that they will be introducing an “honesty box” in terms of entry into the game after the previous abandonment.
The post reads: “Due to having a cash gate in operation at that game, we are unable to fully track those who paid into Taylors Avenue.
"Therefore, we will have an honesty box process in place and ask that anyone who hadn’t paid for the previous match to make payment, and for anyone who would like to make a small donation to cover the costs of replaying the match.”