David Jeffrey is facing something of a selection crisis ahead of Friday night's trip to Portadown.
The Sky Blues slipped to a 1-0 defeat at home to Glenavon on Monday night with Jeffrey admitting their woes were "compounded" with the late dismissals for Dougie Wilson and Steven McCullough.
Sean O'Neill is set to continue in goal despite not being fully fit as Jordan Williamson remains suspended and Jack Henderson is returning to America.
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The timing is hardly ideal for the Irish cup finalists with Jeffrey hoping his side could build some momentum ahead of their meeting with Crusaders on May 7th.
"I thought we were the better side up until Glenavon scored.
"I was glad because I thought there would have been a hangover from Friday night, but there wasn't.
"We should have done better with the goal we conceded, but I'm asking Sean to play when he's not fully fit.
"He was beating himself up over the goal but I would not be critical of him at all.
"What compounded the night was the sendings off of Douglas and Steven.
"At this stage of the season we obviously don't want people suspended as we're trying to build some momentum.
"We now have the two lads out, Jordan is still out and Jack is heading back to America to complete his studies.
"So there are spaces at the moment for some of the younger boys to stake a claim and I'm sure they will get their opportunity.
"It will be a tough game at Portadown, who are flying.
"They were able to recruit very well in January.
"It will be another tough one for us, but we just have to prepare as best we can, give our best and see where it takes us.
"It's a results-driven game, I get that, but if the performances had been desperately poor then fine. But performances haven't been poor.
"No-one can say the players didn't care against Glenavon. They came out and gave their best but came up against an inspired goalkeeper.
"You can't do any more about that. I'm doing my best and the players are doing their best."
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