CIARAN Coll is the only absentee for the Candystripes this Friday night as they welcome Sligo Rovers to the Brandywell at the start of a busy week.
Declan Devine’s men head to Inchicore for a rearranged fixture on Monday evening before the visit of Shamrock Rovers next weekend, however Devine has eyes only for the Bit O’Red at present.
Coll has been absent for the last couple of weeks with a leg muscle injury and the St Johnston man – Derry’s player of the year in 2019 – continues to sit out.
City picked up three wins and a draw from their four league games against Sligo in 2019, but Devine insists the visitors will make things tough here.
“They haven’t carried much luck so far this season and were unfortunate to lose by the odd goal in five against Shamrock Rovers on Saturday”, he began.
“Liam Buckley’s sides like to get the ball down and play, so the Brandywell will suit them. We will definitely have to be on our game if we want to get three points, that’s for sure.”
The Candystripes will be desperate to bounce back from their 94th minute defeat in Waterford last time but the manager insists they’ve already put that behind them.
Devine said: It’s always a blow to lose in those circumstances and especially to a goal like that, but we’ve moved on quickly. The boys had a spring in their step again in training this week and I have absolute faith in this squad.”
Devine confirmed that defender Ally Gilchrist has been cleared to play after concussion ruled him out of the Waterford trip. Mark McChrystal did an excellent job on the left of defence at the RSC so Gilchrist’s return will give his manager options, despite Coll’s continued absence.
City will also be boosted by the return of midfielder Gerardo Bruna to the squad for Friday- the Argentine given a few days paternity leave last weekend.
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