Defiant Rodney McAree vowing to fight on despite more Swifts injury pain

Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree admits injuries have impacted his squad with Loughgall looming

Dungannon Swifts striker Matty Lusty's injury sustained in the clash with Glentoran is a blow for the Co Tyrone club

Rodney McAree admits injuries are taking a heavy toll on Dungannon Swifts as he prepares for a crunch double-header.

They face two of the bottom four, starting at Loughgall on Boxing Day then Newry City on Saturday.

Two wins would give the Swifts, who are facing another relegation battle, real breathing space heading into 2024.

However, McAree must contend with a lengthy casualty list, with Matty Lusty the latest on the treatment table.

The young striker, who had been in red-hot form, suffered a serious shoulder injury in Saturday’s defeat to Glentoran.

Rhyss Campbell, Chris Hegarty and Thomas Maguire also have long-term injury problems.

McAree said: “We are missing big players, we also have Niall Owens, James Knowles and Ethan Devine out as well.

“You have a lot of good players that you could call upon, but it’s the same for every club.

“Everybody’s got injuries and people missing at this stage. We just have to deal with it and try to kick on.”

Campbell (24) hasn’t featured since the 2022/23 season’s Irish Cup Semi-Final after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury. McAree, though, is optimistic the winger is making progress.

He added: “We hope he will be back this season and I think Rhyss wants to play this season.

“Again, it will not be a rushing match, I think February would be the earliest we’d see Rhyss.”

McAree has also been frustrated that his side have not been able to hang on to leads.

Saturday was the sixth time in the 2023/24 season that they have led at the break but failed to collect three