League Preview: Wexford -v- Galway United

WEXFORD

A heavily depleted Galway United make the trip southwards to Wexford on Friday night in the SSE Airtricity First Division (kick-off 8pm).

Since putting seven past Athlone Town in April, Damian Locke’s side have struggled to pick up league points.

A 1-1 draw with Finn Harps is the only time they have managed to do so in eight attempts.

Locke will hope that the visit of Galway United to Ferrycarrig Park is a chance to kick-start their season ahead of the mid-season break.

There is added incentive for the home side to register a win with the return of former manager Shane Keegan, who departed Wexford Youths in late 2016.

Former Wexford favourite Danny Furlong is injured and looks likely not to get a chance to face his former club.

In injury news, Aaron Dobbs will face a late fitness test while Mikey Byrne could emake a return after recent injury.

GALWAY UNITED

The Tribesman have been hit with a combination of injury and leaving cert absences this week.

Six players have been listed as injured ahead of the game with two missing out due to Leaving Cert commitments.

Tadhg Ryan (quad), Aaron Conway (knee), Maurice Nugent (ankle), Alan Murphy (broken rib), Robbie Williams (calf), Danny Furlong (hamstring) are all ruled out through injury.

Adam Rooney and Ronan Manning will miss the trip due to Leaving Cert commitments.

The club are hoping to draft in three under-19 players if they manage to get the registrations through on time.

Manager Shane Keegan will look to use Friday night’s game to go into the mid-season break on a high and still in contention for play-off spots but admits the season has not been to his liking to date.

"It goes without saying that we're not remotely happy about how the first half of the season has gone for us," Keegan conceded to the club's official website.

"That said, we're not a million miles off being back where we need to be in terms of making sure that we are in the shake up and certainly finishing the first half of the season on a positive is an absolute must for us.

"If we can get the win on Friday night and, depending on how other results go, we could still end up back in promotion spots and back in the picture.

“That's what we've got to do with the transfer window opening up and obviously everybody is very aware of the situation going on in the background.

"Despite the fact that we're incredibly frustrated with our first half of the season, it could all turn back very quickly for us, but the most important thing for us is to get the three points from the Wexford game.

"The result is so important. We've got an incredible list of players out at the moment, but the first eleven that steps out for us on Friday night will be a very strong eleven and an eleven that I would have great faith in. We have to take the first steps in our bounce back in Wexford."

Referee: Andrew Mulally

MATCH STATS

The first meeting of these sides this season saw Galway United take all three points with a 4-1 win.

Former Wexford goal machine Danny Furlong opened the Tribesman’s account after Aaron Dobbs had given Wexford the lead.

Galway United have only won twice on their travels this season while Wexford have only managed one win in the league at home.

BETTING

Wexford 9/1; Draw 9/2; Galway United 2/7;

PREDICTION

Wexford 1-2 Galway United.

Wexford

Injured: None

Doubtful: Aaron Dobbs, Mikey Byrne

Suspended: None

Galway United

Injured: Tadhg Ryan (quad), Aaron Conway (knee), Maurice Nugent (ankle), Alan Murphy (broken rib), Robbie Williams (calf), Danny Furlong (hamstring)

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Unavailable: Adam Rooney and Ronan Manning (Leaving Cert)