Sligo Rovers host Cork City on Saturday night at The Showgrounds (7.45pm).
The game is the second of a double-header of home games this week after Rovers defeated St. Patrick’s Athletic 2-1 on Monday night.
Fabrice Hartmann’s winner was enough to earn John Russell’s side all three points after Pat’s Midfielder Chris Forrester cancelled out Reece Hutchinson’s first half goal.
John Mahon will be suspended for the game with Cork City after he was shown a straight red card having been deemed to deny a goalscoring opportunity for Saints striker Tommy Lonergan.
Cork City had an impressive 4-4 draw away to Shamrock Rovers on Monday night in Tallaght after a convincing 4-0 win over UCD at Turners Cross last Friday.
Sligo Rovers boss John Russell was delighted with his sides performance on Monday:
‘’I was delighted with the performance on Monday night. It was important for us to bounce back after our defeat in Drogheda.
‘’The players showed great character to go on and win the game after we went down to 10 men.
‘’The two goals we scored were of real quality and it showed the potential we have in this group. It’s important we continue to work hard and build on this performance and result’’.
The Bit O’ Red have played two home games so far in 2023 with a point against Shamrock Rovers on the opening day in front of a sell-out crowd at The Showgrounds followed by Monday’s impressive win. The atmosphere at both games has proved vital for the team on the pitch and Russell hopes to replicate that atmosphere for the third time in a row:
‘’Tomorrow night we face a Cork City side full of confidence, and a team who have scored 8 goals in their last two games. They have good players all over the pitch so, we know it’s going to be a tough game.
‘’We want to make The Showgrounds a fortress this season. The supporters have come out in their numbers for our first two home games and the atmosphere was electric. The players really fed off that energy so we’re hoping for another big turnout, and a big performance.
In team news, Rovers are without the suspended John Mahon as well as Garry Buckley, Gary Boylan and Mark Byrne who remain injured.
Lukas Browning missed Monday’s game with illness but is back in the squad and other than that, there are no concerns for Russell.
Supporters are urged to buy tickets online in advance of the game to avoid disappointment.
You can buy your tickets now via the link below: