Donegal manager Declan Bonner may include some of the county’s more experienced men in his squad for Sunday’s Allianz League Division 2 opener in Clare (Cusack Park, 2pm).
2012 All-Ireland winners Leo McLoone and Paddy McGrath are among those in contention for a return.
Eoghan Ban Gallagher (pictured), a 2018 All-Star nominee, and Stephen McMenamin are also available for selection again.
McGrath’s next appearance for Donegal would be his 100th in the county colours.
Gallagher had a minor procedure on an injury pre-Christmas, but is back in action again while McMenamin is back with Donegal following Red Hughs’ All-Ireland Club JFC semi-final loss to Easkey on Sunday.
“All of them won’t play this week, but some of those we’d hope to include, possibly one or two of those” Bonner told Donegal Daily/Donegal Sport Hub.
“We’ve some players who didn’t play in the McKenna Cup who will be back again now and, although we still don’t have the Gaoth Dobhair boys, we’re quite happy with what we have to choose from.”
Michael Murphy and Frank McGlynn won’t feature in the early stages of the League while Patrick McBrearty remains on course for an Ulster SFC return against Fermanagh in May.
Bonner said: “We won’t rush anyone back and won’t put anyone under unnecessary pressure. We’ll monitor each game and each training and see how we’re fixed, but no player will be risked.
“That’s why we have a squad. We have a young, mad-eager panel at the moment.
“Platers are coming in at different levels, Leo and Paddy have been with Donegal for a long time and have had a lot of long seasons.
“We have a very hungry bunch of players and it’ll be a careful balancing act for us right through the League.”
After being relegated following a late, late draw against Mayo, who secured a draw in Ballybofey via a 74th minute Kevin McLoughlin score, Donegal are back in Division 2 again.
With away games at Clare and Tipperary sandwiching next Saturday’s home game against Meath, Bonner is keen for a good start.
“We want to get out of Division 2, but the bigger picture down the road is the Championship,” the Donegal manager said.
“We’ll take it one game at a time, and we’ll try to win whatever games are put in front of us.
“We want to be in Division 1 with the top eight teams, but we’re in Division 2 for a reason. This is where we are. We want to be in the mix for promotion.”
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