John Russell hopes to have the luxury of a full squad to choose from as his Sligo Rovers return to Premier Division action this Friday at the Showgrounds, kick-off 7.45pm.
Drogheda United will provide the opposition for this rearranged clash, rescheduled to accommodate Rovers’ visit to Galway on Monday.
Will Fitzgerald returns having missed the defeat to Kerry last week through suspension. While Cian Kavanagh is available again having missed that game due to illness.
An even contest will be expected, as both Rovers and Drogs have matching records in their last five league outings, having taken seven points from a possible 15. This is a huge game for Rovers, as a positive result for the hosts could move us ahead of Galway in eighth depending on the Tribesmen’s result against St Pat’s on Friday.
United have the better head to head record between the clubs this term, with two wins over Sligo and a draw. They go into this game having too suffered FAI Cup disappointment having been beaten on penalties by Shamrock Rovers last weekend.
Reflecting on that galling night for the Bit O’Red in Tralee, Russell tells sligorovers.com that although his players want to quickly move on from that result, they will use the memories of the disappointment to fuel themselves in the coming games.
“Sometimes in sport it’s hard to make sense of a defeat when you are in a position of such dominance”, Russell says.
“What unfolded last week in our cup exit against Kerry hurts and will continue to hurt for a long time. We had a huge opportunity to put ourselves into a semi-final, but we didn’t take it.
“It was a tough dressing room after the game and an even tougher journey home. We all knew the importance of the game and what was at stake. I very much understand the frustration of our supporters and the backlash. We as a group must take our medicine after such a defeat.
“However, it’s important not to lose perspective after a defeat and to remember the transformation of our team since the mid-season break.
“We have such a talented group of players who are giving everything for the club. I and everyone at this club have such belief in them. We have clawed back a lot of points over the last two or three months and the boys deserve all the support they get along the way.”
Russell wants both players and supporters to show togetherness once more as Rovers look to continue our march up the table.
“We are now entering the last seven games and we need our supporters more than ever on Friday”, he rallied.
“You support your team in good times and bad times. We had a bad night last week. But Friday is another opportunity for us all collectively, to show our resilience and strength, not only as a team but as a club.
“Drogheda have performed above all expectations this season, but all our games have been close and now it’s up to us to get that win which we know would be huge for us. We’re ready to go and are really looking forward to the game and getting back on track.”
David Goulden