All set for the 'Oran Kearney' derby' as the Ballymena United boss returns to the Coleraine Showgrounds for the first time since leaving the club in the summer.

The visitors arrive north on the back of a morale-boosting midweek win over Crusaders but face a home side who have picked up 13 points from a possible 15 in recent weeks.

Coleraine head coach Ruaidhri Higgins makes three changes to the team which started last week's 1-1 draw at Carrick Rangers as Dylan Boyle, Zane Okoro and striker Matthew Shevlin drop to the bench.

In their place come Jamie Glackin, James Akinunde and Cameron Stewart, who celebrates his 23rd birthday today.

The visitors' line-up also shows three changes from the win over Crusaders as Daniel Lafferty, Sean Murray and former Coleraine captain Stephen O'Donnell get the nod.

Missing out are the suspended duo of Aaron Jarvis and David Toure along with Shane McEleney, who is named among the replacements.

Coleraine: Schofield, Patching, Cooper, Ives (c), Glackin, Dunne, Stewart, Wylie, Coyle, Akintunde, Connolly.

Subs: Webb, Jarvis, Boyle, Shevlin, McGonigle, Okoro, Devine.

Ballymena United: Wade, Lafferty, Rutkowski, O'Donnell, Clarke (c), McGeouch, Edogun, McCallion, Murray, Sule, Corbally.

Subs: Breen, O'Connor, Ebbe, McCurry, Thomspon, McEleney, Hood.

Referee: Ben McMaster.

Image source, BBC Sport

Ballymena United moved three points clear of Crusaders in the Irish Premiership relegation play-off position with a 2-0 victory over Declan Caddell's side as Linfield beat Dungannon Swifts by 4-1.

After a goalless first half, two goals from Igor Rutkowski secured the crucial three points for the Sky Blues at the Ballymena Showgrounds.

At Stangmore Park, Linfield were the comfortable 4-1 victors against the 10-man Swifts.

Matthew Fitzpatrick gave Linfield an early lead before Rodney McAree's side quickly responded through Gael Bigirimana in the 8th minute.

However, two goals from Isaac Baird in the second half and Kyle McClean's strike extended the Blues' unbeaten run to eight games.

Tuesday's third Irish Premiership match between Portadown and Cliftonville was abandoned due to floodlight failure.

In the Irish Cup, Jordan Jenkins scored four goals as Glentoran beat amateur league side Drumaness Mills 6-0 to set up a quarter-final with Larne.

Catch-up on all the mid-week action here.

Image source, Press Eye

The Irish Cup quarter-final between Glentoran and Larne will be shown live on BBC Sport NI.

The Glens will welcome the Irish Premiership leaders to the Oval on Friday, 6 March (19:45 GMT)

Twenty-three time winners Glentoran eased past amateur side Drumaness Mills 5-0 in their rearranged sixth-round tie on Tuesday to book their place in the last eight.

Larne, who have never won the Irish Cup, reached the quarter-final stage with a 2-0 win over Championship side Warrenpoint Town.

The game will be live-streamed on the BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport NI website and BBC Sport app.

Image source, Inpho

Ballymena United manager Oran Kearney said he "wouldn't like to play against" striker Igor Rutkowski after he netted twice during their 2-0 victory over Crusaders at the Ballymena Showgrounds.

After a goalless first half, Rutkowski scored two goals after the restart to seal the three crucial points for the home side.

The striker has made an instant impact since joining the side from Armagh City in January and has majorly helped Kearney's options in attack as the side aim to pull away from the relegation battle.

"Strikers are judged on goals and I think his overall play, I wouldn't like to play against him" Kearney told BBC Sport NI.

"His work rate, his honesty and how he plays on the ball and off the ball for the boys is fantastic and he deserves the goals.

"He has had a good start; there are parts of the game we are still improving on."

Now, the Sky Blues sit in tenth, three points clear of Crusaders who occupy the relegation play-off position.

"I think everything you would want to on a night like this," Kearney continued.

"Nights like this can be edgy and tough. It has been a tough run for both clubs. For us, it was about showing that good mentality.

"We got goals at a good time and we have maintained a clean sheet which is really important and I am just happy to get the three points."

Image source, Inpho

Watch highlights as Ballymena United moved three points clear of Crusaders in the Irish Premiership relegation play-off position with a 2-0 victory over Declan Caddell's side.

Good evening and the warmest of welcomes to this evening's coverage of the Irish Premiership.

We have two games to bring you to kick-start the weekend with Coleraine hosting Ballymena United, while table-toppers Larne welcome Carrick Rangers.

Gary Haveron's side lead the way at the top by five points and seek to bounce back from last week's defeat by Portadown, while Carrick seek to build on their home draw against Coleraine.

The Bannsiders missed the chance to heap further pressure on Larne with that draw and will be keen to ensure to get back to winning ways against their rivals who enjoyed victory over Crudsaders in midweek.

It promises to be an intriguing evening, so let us bring you all the latest.