Vinny hoping to transfer in more positivity

The County Armagh side have scrambled their way to -3 after their win at Ballinamallard last weekend.

They could potential get within five points of second-bottom Carrick if they can crack Niall Currie’s Ards at Shamrock Park this weekend.

“We are looking at a few players and did not train on Tuesday due to the friendly match with Newry City AFC,” said interim boss Vinny Arkins. “Garry Breen, for example, is still struggling and may have a late fitness test.

“Overall, we have looked at improving our fitness levels in the past few weeks since the Dungannon Swifts defeat.

“I had a good chat with the players and everyone agreed that match probably exposed our fitness shortages, so that is certainly an area we have been keen to build up.

“The Ballinamallard result on Saturday was massive for the club and we were aggressive at the back and worked so hard together, plus looked dangerous on the counter-attack.”

Ards, ironically, arrive at Shamrock Park with Portadown-born boss Niall Currie, considered by many Ports supporters to be in contention for the manager’s role at their own club.

Arkins can only hold the role for 60 days due to the absence of his UEFA ‘A’ Licence coaching qualification.

However, that hasn’t stopped him from looking to put plans in place to improve the squad for his successor - a quest that he hopes could be boosted by a few more positive results.

“I have been talking to people for some time now and that will move on due to the end of the League of Ireland season,” said Arkins, Portadown’s record goal-scorer. “I am looking at players and talking to contacts as it is important to freshen up the squad.

“To get that back to zero at least by the January transfer window would really give the club a massive boost.