Sligo Rovers take on Bohemians on Friday night at The Showgrounds in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division.
Rovers come into the game on the back of a defeat last Friday against UCD at The UCD Bowl. The Bit O’ Red lead at half-time in the game but were pegged back with two second-half goals from the home side.
Bohemians drew 2-2 at home to Shamrock Rovers on the same night, coming from two goals down in the second-half to secure a point.
Manager John Russell spoke to sligorovers.com ahead of the game:
‘’We are coming into Friday night’s game against Bohemians in a disappointing position in the table.
‘’I know that there is frustration around recent results and performances and this is understandable.
‘’We are aware of how important this game is for us and the players have worked hard all week in training. We have yet to beat Bohs this season, so we know we’re in for a tough game’’.
Gates open at 6.30pm on Friday and tickets can be purchased online at https://srfcdirect.com/match-tickets/ or on the night, at the gate where supporters can pay by cash or card.
Russell is keen for a large home support to get behind the team:
‘’I know the quality we have at the club and want the players to play without fear.
‘’I still believe in the huge potential of this team and I am hoping for a big performance in The Showgrounds in front of the home fans’’.
In team news, Rovers are without a number of players through injury.
Reece Hutchinson remains sidelined after an injury sustained before the game with Shelbourne recently. It is expected the Englishman will be out until for the next six weeks or so.
Garry Buckley keeps progressing weekly with his return from an ACL injury now getting closer. Buckley hopes to get back into the matchday squad towards the end of July for his eagerly awaited return to competitive action.
Karl O’ Sullivan, who has been sidelined since March is recovering from ankle surgery and will return to training at the end of July and hopes to be back as part of the matchday squads soon after.
Fabrice Hartmann continues to recover from a hamstring injury sustained in May and Eanna Clancy is out with a hamstring injury picked up against Bohemians at the start of the month.
James Finnerty nurses an achilles injury sustained on his debut against UCD in April and is out for the next four weeks or so while Gary Boylan remains sidelined for the 2023 season with his ACL injury.
Mark Byrne is nearing a return to full training soon and hopes to be back involved in competitive games in August while Conor Walsh is hoping to return from an ankle injury next week where he will resume training.
Greg Bolger wasn’t fit to start against UCD last week, however he has now recovered and available for selection.
Kick off is 7.45pm tomorrow evening and we hope for a large crowd to cheer on the Bit O’ Red team.