Ciaran Coll is the only absentee for Derry City this Friday night as they welcome Sligo Rovers to the Brandywell at the start of a busy week.
Declan Devine’s men head to Inchicore for a rearranged fixture on Monday evening before the visit of Shamrock Rovers next weekend, however the gaffer has eyes only for the Bit o’ Red at present.
City picked up three wins and a draw from their four league games against Sligo in 2019, but Devine insists the visitors will make things tough here.
“They haven’t carried much luck so far this season and were unfortunate to lose by the odd goal in five against Shamrock Rovers on Saturday”, he began.
“Liam Buckley’s sides like to get the ball down and play, so the Brandywell will suit them. We will definitely have to be on our game if we want to get three points, that’s for sure.”
The home side will be desperate to bounce back from their 94th minute defeat in Waterford last time but the manager insists they’ve already put that behind them.
“It’s always a blow to lose in those circumstances and especially to a goal like that, but we’ve moved on quickly. The boys had a spring in their step again in training this week and I have absolute faith in this squad.”
“We want to make the Brandywell a really difficult place to come for visiting teams and this is a chance for the players to show what we’re about.”
Devine confirmed that defender Ally Gilchrist has been cleared to play after concussion ruled him out of the Waterford trip. Mark McChrystal did an excellent job on the left of defence at the RSC so Gilchrist’s return will give his manager options, despite Coll’s continued absence.
City will also be boosted by the return of midfielder Gerardo Bruna to the squad for Friday- the Argentine given a few days paternity leave last weekend.
