Preview: Rovers head to Waterford on Saturday

Sligo Rovers travel to Waterford on Saturday in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division at the RSC.

It’s fourth v fifth in the table as the teams meet for the second and final time this year. 

Rovers, after making a blistering start to the resumed season, have a draw and defeat in their last two games. 

Bohemians claimed a 1-0 success in The Showgrounds last Friday. This is the beginning of three matches in six days for Rovers, half of the remainder of our games. 

In team news Danny Kane (ankle), Darren Collins (ankle), Sigitas Olberkis (hamstring) and Johnny Dunleavy (knee) are out. Niall Morahan returns from a one-game ban

Kane, Olberkis and Collins are set to return to full training at stages next week. 

Liam Buckley said: “With six games to go, it’s all to play for in our season and we’re positive about the position we find ourselves in. This game is one that can have a big say in the outcome of the season, and I’m sure Waterford feel the same. 

“It was a tight game last week, there wasn’t a lot in it and Bohs scored late on. There’s more in us without doubt. It’s gone now and we have to look at the overall picture. We have a chance of a really good finish in the league and our target is to pick up as many points as we can. There’s going to be lots of twists and turns to come over the next five weeks.

“When we started back we said we’d take one game at a time and it’s been the case. We’ve also spoken about the ability we had within our group and the standing we had didn’t reflect it. The players have been terrific in terms of their application and effort and they’ve got us to this position by their own hard work. 

“We have this period to take us further, so we go to Waterford looking for the result.

“We’ll need to find a big performance to get it. It was an even game up the 41st minute for Waterford last Monday in Tallaght. We saw what a good side Bohs were last week and this Waterford team beat them 2-0 in a really impressive fashion. We know the dangers we face going down there. That said, we’re looking forward to the chance to respond to last week after a good week of training and preparation. The previous game was won with the last kick of the ball last time we met and it’s going to be as competitive again .”