Keeper Nelson awaits diagnosis on shoulder injury

Nelson, a strong contender for United’s player-of-the-season accolades, came off during Saturday’s 5-0 Danske Bank Premiership defeat at Cliftonville after injuring his shoulder.

Ferguson is hoping for a positive diagnosis on the 28-year-old, with whom talks on a new contract are ongoing.

“Dwayne felt a bit of a twinge in the shoulder during the week and we kept an eye on it but he declared himself fit to play and, to be fair to him, played well and didn’t deserve to be on the end of such a heavy scoreline.

“He’s made a great save from a James Knowles free-kick and has felt the shoulder go again but it’s too early to say when he might be able to come back.

We’ll assess it over the next few days and see what sort of shape he’s in but, if he’s not able to play, we’ve a very able replacement in Stuarty Addis, who I have confidence will be able to come in and do a job.”

The injury to Nelson is another blow for Ferguson amid a turbulent second half of the season, after winning the County Antrim Shield before Christmas.

United haven’t won in nine league games and have taken a paltry 12 points from a possible 57 since losing 8-0 to Cliftonville in November.

The Sky Blues play their first game since the league split today (Tuesday) when they host Portadown at the Showgrounds.

Supporters should note that the game has a 2.30pm kick-off as part of a UEFA edict regarding domestic football clashing with Champions League matches.

Ferguson is anxious that his players produce a positive end to the season, stressing: “We’ve five games to go now but it can’t just be a case of winding the season down.

“We need to see a reaction and I know I have players who want to do well and show they’re better than the results we’ve been getting.

“Our mental toughness is something that we need to work on and, difficult as it was to fall to such a heavy defeat against Cliftonville, we need to pick ourselves up, move on and try to find an improvement.”

After today’s game, United have an 11-day break, with no fixture this weekend due to the Irish Cup semi-finals.