Ollie Denham is Sligo Rovers’ only injury worry ahead of Monday’s huge Connacht derby with Galway United at Eamonn Deacy Park, kick-off 7.45pm.
The centre-half was withdrawn from the starting eleven ahead of last Friday’s draw with Drogheda having picked up knock to his hip in the warm-up.
Rovers boss John Russell is expected otherwise, to have a fully fit squad as the Bit O’Red look to climb ahead of Galway with a win and out of the relegation zone.
Both sides are deadlocked on 31 points each, with John Caulfield’s men ahead of Rovers based on their superior goal difference.
Rovers have had the better of the three meetings between the clubs this season, with two wins over the Tribesmen from three attempts. While United beat Sligo at the Showgrounds in the first match between the sides in 2025 back in April, their first league win on Sligo soil in decades.
Rovers go into this game with two wins from their last five in all competitions. Galway have taken just one win from their previous five.
Looking ahead to this much anticipated meeting of the provincial neighbours, re-arranged due to recent FAI Cup games, Rovers boss John Russell is looking for his team to take the points which would push us out of the bottom two for the first time in over six months.
“We’re hugely looking forward to this one and we’re looking to bounce straight into it after the Drogheda game”, he tells sligorovers.com.
“I thought we were the better side on Friday. You only have to look at how many times we worked their ‘keeper in comparison to how much Sam (Sargeant) had to do. We’ve also hit the post twice.
“Our shape and our energy was good. We created plenty and it’s a harsh handball decision that gets them back in the game. We just couldn’t crack Drogheda a second time. So we got that reaction we asked for from the boys after the Kerry game.”
Facing his home-town club, Russell is excited by the prospect of the occasion itself.
“It’s a derby game with a lot on the line. You have two sides looking to pick up points for the same reasons so it’s all set up to be a big atmosphere and a big occasion. I’m sure they will have a big crowd backing them and our fans will travel well. We packed out the away end last time out and that really pushed us on. We know it’s a Monday night and not ideal for supporters but we hope we bring big numbers and I know our fans will get right behind us.
“It’ll be a real test for us. We’ve got to stick our chests out now and be counted as it’s so tight at our end of the table, every point counts and everyone is running out of games. As a club, we have massive belief in these players to go out and get results and perform for us. We need to make the most of the occasion.”
David Goulden