Sports Direct Irish Premiership: Larne v Glentoran (Friday, 7.45pm, live on BBC iPlayer); Coleraine v Bangor (Friday, 7.45pm)
GLENTORAN must build on the character they showed against Cliftonville when they travel to Inver Park on Friday night, says skipper Marcus Kane.
The game of the weekend in the Irish Premiership pits second-placed Larne against the fourth-placed Glens - and the Invermen have the upper hand when it comes to recent form.
Gary Haveron's team has won nine of their last 12 fixtures in all competitions, losing to Carrick Rangers in the Co Antrim Shield and Ballymena in the League Cup.
Meanwhile, Glentoran's League Cup victory over Cliftonville on penalties was the East Belfast side's only win in their last five games, leaving them trailing Larne by eight points with a game in hand.
That cup game saw the Reds take the lead before the Glens drew level and that feat was repeated last weekend, when Glentoran recovered from a two-goal deficit at The Oval to draw the game 2-2.
And these two performances give Kane reasons to be optimistic going into a tough test.
"The double-header against Cliftonville has shown what we are capable of in terms of character and quality.
"To come from 1-0 down in extra-time in the cup and then from 2-0 down in the league says a lot about the belief in this squad.
"We didn't let our heads drop, we kept pushing and got ourselves back into both games. Those two Cliftonville games were some of our best football this season.
"We moved the ball with purpose, created good chances and controlled large periods of both matches, but we did not take our opportunities and that is the difference at this level.
"However, we shouldn't be putting ourselves in those positions to begin with and we can't be doing that every week. We were well on top in both matches but didn't take our chances and we were punished for it.
"The challenge now is to start games with the same intensity and bravery we are showing when we are chasing them. If we do that, we give ourselves a far better platform to go and win matches.
"Larne are in great form and their record this season speaks for itself. They are strong at the back, dangerous going forward and very hard to break down if they get in front, so we know we cannot afford to give them any early encouragement.
"We need to start well, be aggressive in and out of possession and play with real belief from the first whistle."
Elsewhere on Friday night, league leaders Coleraine play host to Bangor in an intriguing showdown at Ballycastle Road.
The Bannsiders have made a splash in the transfer market since Henry Ross bought the club a year ago, but the Seasiders have adapted to life in the top flight admirably, taking 24 points from their 18 games to date.
With Kodi Lyons-Foster out with a long-term injury, Ruaidhri Higgins moved this week to sign former Derry City defender Mark Connelly on a pre-contract agreement that comes into force in January.
Bangor striker Ben Arthurs will be keen to add to the two goals he scored against Glenavon last weekend.