Jad Hakiki, Shane Blaney and Ciaron Harkin are all expected to return to Sligo Rovers’ match night squad this Friday, as we head to Dublin for the second consecutive week.
Dalymount Park is the setting and Bohemians provide the opposition as Rovers look to build on a scoreless draw with Derry City on Easter Monday. Kick-off in Dublin is 7.45pm.
The trio’s returns will provide a timely boost to manager John Russell as they each continue their return to full fitness. Supporters will particularly welcome the news of the potential return of playmaker Hakiki who has missed six games having been withdrawn against Galway at the end of February. While defender Blaney returned to the bench in that stalemate with the Candystripes but hasn’t lined out since the second night of the season.
In other team news and as of Thursday afternoon, Russell continues to plan without Sean Stewart, Conor Reynolds, Ryan O’Kane and Cian Kavanagh who all continue to be treated for knocks. Midfielder Seb Quirk looks set to miss out for a number of weeks with a hamstring injury he sustained last week. While James McManus is unavailable owing to the terms of his loan deal.
Bohemians are currently the division’s only side yet to be beaten this season, winning five of their opening ten games. This form is enough to see them top the table, level on points with leaders Pat’s who have a slightly better goal difference. They have four draws and a win from their last five and have already beaten Rovers this season.
“We saw on the second night of the season what Bohs can do to you”, Russell tells sligorovers.com ahead of Friday’s encounter.
“Most of our games this season have been tight bar one or two and against Bohs, they were the deserving winners. Not many teams have really cut us open but we struggled that night so we know what they bring.
“They have a squad of players who can come in and replace the player ahead of them and that shows their strength. They were all over Waterford last Monday and will be very frustrated not to have beaten them. They’ve a very experienced management team and I imagine will have a big crowd behind them up there. But that’s what you want. You want to play in big atmospheres.
“We will hopefully have Shane and Jad back so we’ll assess them closer to Friday and see how many minutes we can give them. Ciaron Harkin coming back is very big for us too.
“We’ll be down bodies again but it once more gives the next player a chance to show what they can do. It’s a big opportunity for a few lads.”
Russell was encouraged by Monday’s display and has called on his players to build momentum ahead of a few busy weeks for Rovers.
“I was pleased with elements of what we did against Derry”, he continued.
“We were solid at the back. Gareth McElroy was only a few inches away from scoring the winner and we were denied a clear penalty that had we scored, we’re probably talking about three points.
“I think if you go up against a side like Derry, with their strength, it’s a good thing to come away disappointed to not win the game. It builds confidence and we need to push on now. We defended very well and we’ll need to do that again on Friday and take any chances that come.”
David Goulden
