Preview: Rovers to take on UCD

Sligo Rovers host UCD in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division in The Showgrounds on Saturday night. 

Rovers return to Saturday night action for the first time this season on the back of Liam Buckley’s first win as manager away to Finn Harps last week.

Over 5,250 home fans attended our first two games in total, of 5,589, and another good crowd is expected as the Students visit.

In team news, Johnny Dunleavy and Ronan Coughlan return to the squad after groin and hamstring problems. 

Regan Donelon (hamstring) and Ed McGinty (finger) are ruled out.  

Kyle Callan-McFadden has a back problem and is doubtful. He will be tested pre-game. 

Liam Buckley said: “There was a small improvement in our play in Ballybofey and we really had to dig it to get that win, which we did so very well. 

“It’s going to be difficult to pick up results every ground you go to, so it was brilliant to get that first three points.

“We’d like to build on that now and we’ve worked on that because we were back at it straight away after the Harps game.

“The next few weeks are just one game a week so it gives us a chance from that end to prepare properly.

“UCD may be down the bottom right now but you look at their performances, particularly last week, it’s clear they’ll be as good as many of the teams in this league. We know what we’re up against. 

“It’s going to be another hard night. 

“I’ve no doubt there’ll be a big crowd behind us again and we’ll need them fired up like the two previous matches. We’d love to get that win, it’s not going to be easy and we’ll have to be at it from the start.”