DONEGAL are “hopeful” that injured captain Paddy McBrearty will be ready to play against Monaghan in the final match of the group stages.
McBrearty is back in training after sustaining a potentially career-ending injury, but is making steady progress on a severe hamstring injury sustained against Tyrone in February.
But Sunday’s big clash against Derry in Ballybofey, will come a bit early for the Kilcar man, according to Donegal coach Paddy Bradley.
However, there is not good news on the livewire Peadar Mogan, who had an operation on his foot, while Michael Langan is also ruled out for virtually the rest of the season with a severe hamstring injury.
But Bradley has been heartened by the return to fitness of Oisin Gallen and Jason McGee, both of whom played key roles in Donegal’s morale-boosting win over Clare in Ennis.
And it looks like Stephen McMenamin will be available after missing out on that game with a heel injury.
“Paddy McBrearty is coming on very well and he has been doing a bit of training, but he will not be available this week,'' said Bradley.
“We are hoping to integrate him into some team training over the next few weeks with a view to him seeing some game-time against Monaghan.
“With a hamstring injury it is very delicate and he has had an operation and Antoin McFadden is overseeing the rehab and Paddy is very diligent.
“But this weekend will be too soon for him.”
It has been a savagely frustrating few months for the Donegal captain who is very keen to get back on the pitch.
“Paddy was in very poor form after the injury, but he is seeing green shoots after the rehab, and he had a cast and a boot, and he could not move the leg very much and that was frustrating for him.
“But he is in better form now as he can see the end line in sight.
“But I know it will be a bit of risk whenever we do send Paddy back on the field, but he is a big player for the team, is vastly experienced and he can score, and he has done it all before.
“And it would be very important for him to be back for us and hopefully his time off will not affect him too much in terms of speed.
On Gallen and McGee Bradley said: “They are both OK and thankfully the injuries we were plagued with throughout the League have cleared up and the two boys are back now and able to make a big contribution.