Derby day at Drumahoe

The Roesiders fresh from their 1-1 draw at Bangor will come to the Riverside Stadium looking for another positive result, but Carlyle is confident ’Stute will bounce back themselves from two disappointing displays.

“I anticipate a really tough game and I think if we aren’t at our very best then we are going to be asking for trouble,” admitted Carlyle.

“They’ll give a good account of themselves and Aidy McLaughlin is in there now as manager, he’s a good lad and he has good drive and he’ll want the players to give their best for Limavady all the time.”

This season the Drumahoe side have struggled in the final third of the pitch and that is something the assistant gaffer knows they need to sort out sooner rather than later.

“We have a lot of striking options but we just haven’t been consistent and steady; with holidays, players injuries and with it still being early season it’s just about getting players out on the pitch now on a consistent basis.

“Ricky Lee (Dougherty) was away but he’s back now, (Darren) McFadden was injury, (Sean) McCarron has a few difficulties at the minute, which we are trying to help him with, so there has been circumstances and that hasn’t helped.

“But we are starting to get the players back, Stephen Parkhouse is also on the way back and I’m hoping to use him for the Ardstraw game in a few weeks time.

“However in saying all that we definitely need to do better in the last third of the pitch, but I think personally speaking, I think we have enough ability up front and I think we have people who can score goals.

“We have brought in young (Michael) Coyle as well and if you look at the strikers at the club then we have enough forward options and it’s just a case of them hopefully hitting the ground.

“Obviously we were disappointed that we didn’t take the three points from Dergview, but credit to them they battled really well, but this is a different Saturday.”

The Waterside men, who like United are four points adrift of leaders Ards, will be without winger Ryan Semple (suspension) and midfielder Gareth Falconer is also struggling with an ankle problem, but duo Ricky Lee Dougherty and Sean McCarron return.

“Sean played for the Reserves on Saturday and he will be training with the first team squad this week, but at this stage I don’t know if he’ll be starting or get a place on the bench,” added Carlyle.

“Ricky Lee has come back from his holidays and he’s a player that we want at the club, he’s enthusiastic, hungry and wants to succeed and he gives us another option for Saturday.”