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Queen's boss in the dark OPENING FIXTURES

WITH the start of the Power NI Dr McKenna Cup just four days away, Queen's manager Anthony McGrath says he is still in the dark over the availability of midfielder Ryan Jones.

The Derrygonnelly clubman has been named in both the Fermanagh and Queens's squads for the pre-season competition which gets underway this Sunday.

Expressing his disappointment with the failed mediation process which was headed up by Joe Kernan, McGrath revealed that he contacted his namesake Pete over the availability of Jones.

Despite the impasse, Anthony McGrath (pictured left) fully expects Jones to line out for his university side on Sunday against Armagh.

"We actually don't know where we stand with Ryan Jones. Because of his exams, Ryan is not going to be available for all three games," said McGrath.

"We have discussed it directly with Pete McGrath (pictured right) because nothing was coming back from elsewhere.

"Pete was going to talk to Joe Kernan but we haven't heard anything since.

"As far as we are concerned, Ryan will be playing with us on Sunday.

"I don't know what negotiations happened - I would guess very little.

"Ryan is an important player for us - he is last year's captain."

McGrath is already resigned to being without Niall McKenna, who has been recalled to the Tyrone panel and Antrim's Niall Delargy.

Gerard McGovern, Ciaran McCartan, Ryan Murray and Sean Warnock will also miss Sunday's trip to Armagh with injuries.

With the player row continuing to rumble on and an extensive injury list, McGrath admits he is unsure of what players will be available to him on Sunday.

"The players we were hopeful of getting, we haven't got," said McGrath.

"I am not sure how the other universities have got on.

"It is slightly disappointing. We were expecting a bit more from the negotiations but we will just have to get on with it.

"With four days to go until the start of the competition, we still don't know what players are available to us."

Armagh manager Paul Grimley has released his college players and Rory Grugan and Matthew McNiece could feature against their native county on Sunday.

Donegal's Martin McElhinney will captain the Queen's team, while Down duo Owen Costello and Ryan Mallon have also been included in McGrath's squad.

Queen's have been pitted against the Orchard men, 2012 All-Ireland champions Donegal and defending champions Tyrone in Section A.

McGrath says he is expecting three extremely tough outings..

"It will be a massive task but it is a very exciting task for our players," said the Queen's boss.

"Armagh are one of the leading counties in Ulster.

"They have strengthened their management team and obviously things look good for them this year.

"I would expect a tough task but that's the reason why we are in the Dr McKenna Cup.

Sunday, January 5 (2pm)

Section A Athletic Grounds: Armagh v QUB Letterkenny: Donegal v Tyrone

Section B Clones: Monaghan v Derry Brewster Park: Fermanagh v St Mary's

Section C Creggan: Antrim v Cavan Pairc Esler: Down v UUJ