Linfield make a delayed return to Sports Direct Premiership action on Friday night when they meet Portadown at Shamrock Park (7.45pm k.o.). The game will be streamed live on the BBC iPlayer. 

Portadown have made a slow start to the season and sit 9th in the table. In their last outing they were edged out at Carrick Rangers (0-1) and the Achilles Heel for The Ports has been in defence with 23 goals conceded in just 11 league games. Manager Niall Currie has also recently lost new Dundela manager Clifford Adams from his back-room staff and will be without the services of on-loan Linfield striker Rhys Annett.

David Healy’s men will be fired up and ready to go after the frustrating postponement of several fixtures. This has left the Blues with ground to recover from 4th place but still within striking distance of top spot in the table.

As the Premiership table begins to take shape in what is already an intriguing title race, The Blues will focus on the old cliché of “one game at a time”. Hopefully it will prove to be a fruitful visit to the Orchard County for the Blues.

COYB!

By Ken Garrett.