EA Sports Cup second round: Derry City v Sligo Rovers (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
DERRY CITY have somewhat of an injury crisis going into Tuesday’s EA Sports Cup encounter with Sligo Rovers at the Brandywell.
The Candystripes already small squad will be without Gareth McGlynn, Aaron Barry and Harry Monaghan, while a few other players are struggling with knocks, as City play their second of three games in six days.
“I would image they’ll be at full strength, we most certainly will not be,” said manager Kenny Shiels.
“Aaron Barry is out, as is Harry Monaghan and obviously Gareth is still out; these are key figures and there are another couple of players who have a few niggling injuries and maybe rested, but we’ll see how that pans out closer to kick-off.
“However I don’t want to discourage people from coming to the tie, as we want people to come and watch and give us the support which they have been doing. Hopefully we can put on a performance for them and see where it takes us.”
Shiels feels that although this evening’s opponents are still looking for their first win of the season, they are starting to improve and he’s expecting a tough encounter: “Sligo and St Pat’s are two of the best footballing teams in the league and I acknowledge that,” he added.
“David [Robertson] is doing a really good job at Sligo and I’m sure they’ll give us a hard game. Sligo are the form team in the league at the minute. They drew with Cork City, were unfortunate against Dundalk and were unlucky to draw against St Pat’s and I have watched them and they have progressively improved.
“They have a lot of English players and it will be a tough game for us. We want to sustain the momentum and Sligo gives us an opportunity to play a game of football, where both teams will be trying to play.”
Elsewhere on Tuesday night, Shamrock Rovers face Athlone Town at Tallaght Stadium, Bray Wanderers host junior side Bluebell and First Division leaders Limerick entertain Premier Division side Wexford Youths.
