A win for Ballinamallard over Ards on Friday would be ‘massive’ for Ballinamallard’s hopes of Premier League survival according to manager Gavin Dykes. The Mallards are currently eleven points clear of the relegation zone in tenth spot, but a win on Friday would lift them to ninth just one point adrift of Glentoran.

“A win would be massive,” admitted Gavin. “It would put us above Ards which for us would be huge, but it will be no easy task. I think if we could get anything out of it at all it would be good, but I think we are capable of getting all three points. We have lost our last two but the players know that when we are good we can beat anybody. I thought we deserved something from last week’s game against Ballymena, but the week before against Glenavon we didn’t deserve anything.”

Ballinamallard’s last trip to Ards included a 14 minute hat-trick from the now departed Adam Lecky as the sides shared the points in a three all draw, and Gavin believes they can once again make the long journey home with a positive result.

“We have played Ards already and we have done well against them. I think they are beatable but it will be tough up there. The astroturf surface is difficult but we are lucky enough to be training on one ourselves so there will be no excuses and hopefully if we are at full tilt we will get something out of it,” he said.

The manager is destined to have a selection headache for the match with several regular first team starters out of action through injury. Steve Feeney came off with a knock in the previous game and he has now joined an injury list that also includes Shane McCabe, Ryan McConnell, James McKenna, Josh McIlwaine and Ryan Curran.

“We are struggling with bodies and it will be touch and go as to whether we will have any back available,” admitted Gavin. “We are hoping that Josh and Ryan Curran might be available. They haven’t trained but we will see how they go during the week. We had hoped that Shane McCabe might make it but as the days go by that is looking more unlikely. Feeney came off last week as well so I don’t think he will make it either. We are down to bare bones.”

The situation has opened the door for several of the younger players to make a name for themselves, and the manager is confident they can come in and do a good job if required.

“I have no problem putting in some of the younger lads,” he said. “Callum Frampong came on last week and did very well. Anyone who has come in has done very well. Young Ben McCann is another who has come in and trained with us and he did very well in the games against the league of Ireland sides, which was the reason we had those games – to see who could step up. He has come into contention for the Ards game. He is a big strong lad and he might get his opportunity this week. They won’t let us down.”