Larne squad depth will be tested - Haveron

Larne head coach Gary Haveron says the coming months will continue to test the depth of his squad as they chase silverware on three fronts.

The Invermen still have five games in hand over Premiership leaders Linfield, whom they trail by 19 points, plus they face a BetMcLean Cup semi-final against Cliftonville on 14 January and a County Antrim Shield final with Glentoran seven days later.

Next up for Haveron's charges is a league encounter with Cliftonville at Inver Park on Friday night, which will be broadcast live on the BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

"We've got Cliftonville back-to-back and the Glens back-to-back in our next four games so it doesn't get much easier because they're probably two of the most in-form teams," reflected Haveron.

"If you want to win the hard competitions and get into the later stages you're going to need your squad and everyone playing in the same direction.

"We can't slog the same 11,12, 13 boys. It's really going to have to go into the 16th, 17th, 18th man and it'll test the strength and depth of our squad. That gives younger players a chance and we have faith in everyone we have at our disposal."

Mannus 'very professional'

The appointment of former Northern Ireland goalkeeper Alan Mannus as goalkeeping coach at Larne was confirmed earlier this week.

"Anybody who knows Alan as a person will tell you that he's probably one of the most professional people you're ever going to come across," enthused Haveron.

"Since he has come in he's obviously very thorough – he's an excellent communicator, a good teacher, and had a stellar career himself.

"He has a real presence about him – when he speaks you listen."

Mannus succeeds another ex-NI stopper, Alan Blayney, in the role.

"It'll be a good boost for the goalkeeping department but what I can't undersell is the impact Alan Blayney had over the past five years. He's been incredible for us.

"You only have to see the clean sheet record over recent seasons, the amount of goals that we don't concede, he has been immense for us."