Sligo Rovers return to competitive action this Saturday night at The Showgrounds against Finn Harps from 7.45pm.
The sides have had a mid-season break so far in June, with no game in three weeks, meaning both squads should be fresh leading into this game.
Rovers have got the better of Harps so far this season, with two victories at The Showgrounds and Finn Park respectively. Aidan Keena’s hattrick secured the points back in March at The Showgrounds while ex Harps winger Karl O’ Sullivan secured a narrow 1-0 win in Ballybofey in May.
The Bit O’ Red defeated Derry City in our last home fixture which was followed by a draw against UCD away from home in our most recent league game.
Finn Harps come into the game having drawn 2-2 at The Brandywell against Derry City last time out.
Greg Bolger and Adam McDonnell are both suspended while Harps are without two midfielders of their own in Ryan Connolly and Bastien Hery, also unavailable due to suspension.
Manager John Russell takes the team officially for the first time tomorrow night and remains unbeaten after taking interim charge initially for the Derry City and UCD games before being appointed to the role some days later.
Russell:
‘’We’re all looking forward to the game tomorrow night. Finn Harps were very unlucky not to beat Derry City in their last game so we know it will be a tough encounter.
The players have worked extremely hard over the past two weeks and are eager to get the season going again after the mid-season break. Greg and Adam miss out through suspension, but we’ve got a lot of quality in our group so it’s a chance for other players to make their mark.
We’re expecting a big crowd tomorrow night and we’re hoping for a good performance in front of our home fans.’’
In team news, Rovers are without Greg Bolger and Adam McDonnell through suspension but have no other injury concerns. Nando Pijnaker is back in Sligo following his international duty and Luke McNicholas also returns, however the Mayo goalkeeper is unavailable until July 1st following his loan spell with Cliftonville FC.
Gates open from 6.30pm and supporters are asked to arrive early as a big crowd is expected.
Tickets will be on sale from our Merchandise store for our upcoming Europa Conference League home game against Bala Town on July 14th.
Our match sponsors are Lough Gill Brewing while loyal supporter Steve Taylor is our Match Ball Sponsor.