Linfield postpone visit to Derry

Irish League side Linfield have postponed a visit to Derry City for a friendly match this month until the new year.

The two sides have been forging closer relations of late with the Candystripes returning to Windsor Park recently to play in a testimonial for former Linfield star John Easton.

A reciprocal visit, Linfield’s first to the Brandywell in 34 years, had been expected following the end of the eircom League season.

But the Belfast side has injury problems and their manager David Jeffrey is understood to be reluctant to play non-essential matches.

The Brandywell friendly is now understood to be in the pipeline for February when Derry will be in pre-season for the 2005 eircom League Premier Division campaign.