Larne boss Tiernan Lynch has hailed skipper Jeff Hughes’ recent return to first team action, claiming the veteran midfielder is good enough to “play in his bedroom slippers”.
Hughes, who spent three months on the sidelines with an injury, made his first appearance in almost three months in last week’s 2-1 win over Glentoran at Inver Park.
And Lynch believes the 36-year-old’s return is a massive boost as the East Antrim club targets European qualification and Irish Cup glory at the business end of the campaign.
Ahead of Tuesday night’s league trip to Coleraine, Lynch said: “Jeff just calms everything down and it’s great to have his presence back on the pitch again.
“At times he looks like he could play in his bedroom slippers and that’s just a sign of how good he is. He has been superb for us.”
Hughes, who made his name as a midfielder in an accomplished career that included stints with Tranmere Rovers, Crystal Palace and Bristol Rovers, featured at left-back against the Glens.
And he skippered Larne in the same position in his second game back in Saturday’s 2-0 win at Dungannon Swifts.
“At left back against Glentoran he was up against Robbie McDaid, who is a top, top player,” said Lynch.
“We sometimes joke about Jeff's age but he always tells us he’s like a ‘fine wine’ and I’d agree. He’s getting better with age.”
Larne, who face Ballymena United in the quarter-finals of the Irish Cup on Saturday, climbed to fourth in the Danske Bank Premiership thanks to Saturday’s victory at Stangmore Park.
Coleraine, who drew 1-1 with derby rivals Ballymena at the weekend, are in sixth place, five points off Crusaders and six below tonight’s opponents.
"We're heading into a busy period, but for me it’s always about the next game and if you look too far ahead, you can get caught out,” said Lynch.
“We have to worry about Tuesday night and make sure we are well prepared for Coleraine.”
Coleraine v Larne in the Danske Bank Premiership has a 7.45pm kick-off
