Ferguson won’t panic on January transfers

With his side struggling for form and a mounting injury list, the ability to sign players again from January 1 could scarcely be more opportune for Ferguson.

But the manager admits that finding players who fit the bill in mid-season is a difficult task.

“Everybody wants to strengthen but we are going to be left with players other clubs don’t want.

“But if I feel they are better than what we have and they want to come, I’ll have to do it.

“We had discussed a possible swap deal with Crusaders as part of the David Cushley deal but that’s not going to happen now.

“I’ve said all along I’m not going to sign players for the sake of signing them or to make it look as if we’re trying to do something.”

“Matthew Tipton may come in this week or next, but Michael Ruddy could be six weeks or six months, we don’t know yet, and Willie Faulkner has a broken arm so they are long-term injuries.”

United kick off the new year with a trip to Portadown in the Danske Bank Premiership this Friday (3pm).

“It’s a tough fixture but we have to try and re-group on Tuesday night.

“We don’t have as good players as Portadown so we have to work harder than we did at Coleraine,” added Ferguson.

* Seven Towers Supporters’ Club transport to Friday’s game leaves Henry Street car park at 1.30pm