Former Blues boss has steadied the ship at Shamrock Park

Linfield have already benefited from one old pal’s act this season, but it’s unlikely they will do so again when their travel to Portadown for Friday evening’s BOYLE Sports Premiership match at Shamrock Park (7.45pm).

In the home dugout will be former Blues manager David Jeffrey, who has already taken points off his old club this season following a 1-1 draw at Shamrock Park.

Having turned around their early season form, the Ports are now unbeaten in three games and Jeffrey will be keen to continue that form on Friday night when the Blues come to town.

However, David Healy’s side make the trip on the back of a morale-boosting 2-1 win over champions Larne on Tuesday night which as shot them back into the title race.

Rhys Brennan played a huge part in that win, scoring the equaliser and turning a performance full of energy and purpose.

The Dubliner was signed on loan from Bohemians, where former Linfield player and general manager Pat Fenlon is director of football.

Linfield manager David Healy paid tribute to the club’s head of recruitment Willie McKeown and Fenlon for getting the deal over the line and the Blues have certainly reaped the rewards.

“Rhys has been terrific again,” Healy said after the win over Larne.

“What a brilliant kid, first and foremost. I know they’d say when we did get him in that Pat Fenlon done us a good favour. Something that Willie was very fond on.

“We had discussed it and then the opportunity arose when we could get him before the window shut. I thought he was brilliant – his all round game, his energy, his enthusiasm.”

Larne had taken the lead through a Leroy Millar goal in the first half before Brennan’s equaliser five minutes into the second half with Ethan McGee grabbing the winner on 82 minutes.

The result puts Linfield just two points behind leaders Coleraine and they can begin the weekend on top of the table if they can overcome Portadown on Friday night.

Jeffrey’s side come into the game on the back of a last-gasp win over Cliftonville at Solitude with Jack Scott’s injury time goal giving them all three points.

That result came after they had held Glentoran to a goalless draw and they have proved a tough prospect at home. The in-form Blues will be sure to test that though.