Mick McDermott says the return of club captain Marcus Kane will be like a “new signing” for Glentoran.
Kane has been missing since September with a hip injury sustained in a County Antrim Shield defeat to Larne at Inver Park.
The 30-year-old is now back in training with the Glens and McDermott expects his infuential skipper to be available for selection soon.
“The good news is Marcus Kane is back in training. He hasn’t played since the Larne County Antrim game back in September,” McDermott said.
“He won’t be in contention for Monday’s game against Cliftonville, but he is back in training which is a real positive for the team. Everyone else is available and healthy.
“But Marcus will be like a new signing for us, because he has been out since September.”
McDermott says he will have two of his new signings available for Monday’s trip to Cliftonville in the Irish Premiership.
The game – live on Sky Sports – sees third-placed Glentoran take on second-placed Cliftonville in a massive showdown at the top of the table.
“I have Michael O”Connor and Sean Murray available for Monday. Darren Cole is available but he just isn’t match ready yet,” McDermott added.
“He didn’t join up with us until January 3, and he was off for about six weeks before that. So he isn’t ready to join in yet, but I would say he will be available for selection in the next 10 days to two weeks.
“Gael Bigiramana pulled up with a calf issue before the Larne game two weeks ago. He will be back by next week.
“Every club has their issues to deal with. We have played since September or October without our club captain Marcus Kane, Luke McCullough, Shay McCartan since the Linfield game, Ciaran O’Connor, Aaron McCarey and there’s probably more.
“But there’s five starting members of our team who have been out since September/October. So we were playing a lot of games having to reshuffle.
“So it was nice to go on a wee run without those players, but it’s also nice getting some of them back.”
Meanwhile, McDermott confirmed defender Luke McCullough underwent surgery last weekend and has now started his rehabilitation.
Luke McCullough has started his rehab after successful knee surgery
(Image: Inpho)
McCullough is out for the remainder of the season after suffering a cruciate ligament injury in the 4-0 win over Ballymena United on November 13.
“The surgery went really well. It was a straight cruciate ligament repair. No meniscus or cartilage, so it makes the rehab a long more smooth.
“It doesn’t change the time frame, but it changes the complications you might have.
“So it was a straight cruciate ligament repair and he is in rehab as of this week.”
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