David Healy says he is relishing the "physical challenge" of Crusaders on Tuesday night, especially going up against a manager who knows all about the Belfast showdown.

Rookie Crues boss Declan Caddell thrived under the cauldron atmosphere of a Blues vs Crues clash during his own playing career. He knows all about a fixture punctuated by blood and thunder, and under the floodlights of a Tuesday night at Windsor Park.

Linfield are riding high at the top of the Irish Premiership, with Saturday's gutsy win over Cliftonville seeing them stretch 16 points clear of nearest rivals Glentoran, albeit having played a game more.

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Crusaders currently lie fifth in what is Caddell's debut season as manager. It has been a campaign punctuated by peaks and troughs, and injuries.

Healy told Linfield TV: "Crusaders have been a little bit indifferent this season. It was always going to be that way in Declan's first season.

"They have had a lot of injuries like we've had. But looking at the injuries they've had, they've brought in one or two who we will have to keep an eye on."

Former Crusaders midfielder Caddell enjoyed plenty of Belfast duels with the Blues on the pitch, and is now preparing for his first league visit to Windsor as boss. Healy believes the rookie manager will have his players fired up for the game.

"We look forward to the challenge. Any time we have played Crusaders it is always a physical challenge," Healy added.

"Decky knows it well, having played countless games out there when he played. The physical challenge of Linfield vs Crusaders. So we look forward to that on Tuesday."

Healy will be determined to keep the foot on the pedal as Linfield look to lift the Gibson Cup for the first time in three years.

Their nearest challengers could yet turn out to be champions Larne, who, despite lying sixth and 22 points adrift, have six games in hand of the Blues.

If they win all those games they would reduce the gap to just four points.

“When I look at the league table, I calculate that Larne will be four points adrift of us. Yes, they have a lot of games in hand, but they are capable of winning those fixtures," Healy warned.

“That’s it in a nutshell. In this league, you look after your own needs and that means winning more games than your nearest challengers.

"It’s now on to the next game against Crusaders on Tuesday.”

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