Tiernan Lynch offers injury update on Levi Ives as another star causes concern

Larne have been bolstered by the news that Levi Ives has not suffered a serious knee injury as first thought.

The Invermen initially feared Ives had suffered an ACL injury in the Irish Cup semi-final defeat to Cliftonville a fortnight ago which would have led to the defender facing months out of the game. However boss Tiernan Lynch has provided a positive update on the injury with Ives now facing weeks rather than months on the sidelines.

The news about captain Cian Bolger though was less encouraging however with Lynch saying his hamstring injury was still causing concern.

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"Thankfully Levi hasn't suffered an ACL injury, it is a MCL injury which will keep him out for four or five weeks," revealed Lynch.
"His season is more than likely finished but he'll be back raring to go for pre-season.

"Cian is an ongoing thing at the moment. He had a tweak in his hamstring, it will just depend on how quickly he gets over that."

Lynch is likely to be without his skipper when they face Cliftonville for a third time in 14 days when the Reds visit Inver Park on Saturday afternoon. The Larne boss felt the two previous tough encounters against the Reds in the Irish Cup and league took their toll in the lead up to the defeat at home to Crusaders last week.

"It was a hugely disappointing game and I think in the end we ran out of steam," said Lynch. "I think the last week really took its toll on the boys, we also had a couple of enforced changes which probably hurt us as well.

"Ultimately we didn't do enough to go on and win the game, but we can't feel sorry for ourselves or cry about it. There's no excuses, it's done, it's what we do about it now."

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