Larne will be 'a tough ask' for Coleraine - Shiels

Coleraine boss Dean Shiels admits that hosting champions Larne on Sunday at the Showgrounds represents a "tough ask" for his side.

The Bannsiders come into the game off the back of a disappointing 2-0 loss against Glenavon and are missing key players such as Jamie Glackin and Matthew Shevlin.

"Larne will be a tough ask, there is no denying that and we will see where we are with regards to injuries, he told BBC Sport NI.

The game will be Larne's first Irish Premiership fixture of the season after various postponements due to their run to the Uefa Conference League group phase.

Shiels is wary of the threat Tiernan Lynch's side will pose even if they choose to rotate.

"I don't think their European run will be an issue for them, if you look at Larne's squad they could fill two teams with quality," Shiels admitted.

"I don't think it will be an issue for them playing Thursday then Sunday, so we just need to concentrate on ourselves and be ready."

'It's Linfield's league now to lose' - Lynch

Larne manager Tiernan Lynch believes that Linfield are in the driving seat to wrestle back the Gibson Cup given their impressive start to the season.

The Blues are 13 points clear of Larne having played five games more than the Inver outfit.

"It's Linfield's league now to lose and we have to play catch-up and all that goes with it," Lynch said on BBC Radio Ulster.

"It'll be nice to get back to the domestic league again, this is what we all love and it's the part that we enjoy, this is your bread and butter."