Sligo Rovers -v- Limerick FC

SLIGO ROVERS


Sligo Rovers resume their bid to retain their Airtricity League when they entertain Limerick at The Showgrounds on Saturday evening.


The Bit O’Red suffered a 2-0 defeat in their last League game away to Dundalk, but secured a Quarter-Final place in the FAI Ford Cup following a 1-0 victory over Cork City at home last week.


There is an injury boost for The Bit O’Red as David McMillan returned to training this week following an infection, however Evan McMillan, Iarfhlaith Davoren and Ross Gaynor remain sidelined.


Rovers boss Ian Baraclough spoke to sligorovers.com ahead of the game.


“Our games against them so far have been open affairs with both teams looking to attack and I expect Saturday's clash to be no different.


“With David McMillan coming back it gives us a boost. We’ve got real firepower at our disposal when he is added to Danny North, Raffaele Cretaro, Kieran Djilali, Anthony Elding and other players we have used in the attacking roles. We are a bit on edge in defensive numbers but the trio out are making progress towards a return.


“In the final nine games, there are 27 points to play for and we have to make sure that we put a run of wins together that gives us a chance to come out on top. I’m sure the other teams around us will drop points at some stage, but we can’t worry about that. It will not make a difference if we don’t put points on the board.


“This is a time in the season where every team will be desperate for points.  It is simple to say we can win this game or the next game, but it will take all our efforts to try to make it happen. We have to be defensively sound and patient in the quest for goals. But with progress in the cup, it has brought a lift for the players and we know we are still fighting to win this league again.”


LIMERICK


Limerick also return to League action this weekend following FAI Cup commitments last weekend.


The Blues will be looking to get out of a recent slump following League defeats to Drogheda United and UCD as well being knocked out of the Cup by Dundalk.


Rory Gaffney, who scored twice in Oriel Park, misses this game through suspension following his dismissal in the same game. Shaun Kelly is also on the suspension list after being sent off in the defeat to UCD.


On the injury front, Shane Tracy, Shane Costelloe and Steve McGann, Pat Purcell and Brian O’Callaghan are likely to miss out, but the latter two have returned to training following long-term injuries. Jeffrey Judge is expected to be available following a lengthy spell on the sidelines.


Speaking to limerickfc.ie, manager Stuart Taylor insists that morale remains high and his players are positive despite recent defeats.


“Obviously, you’ve got to be realistic, but certainly there’s no place for being negative.


“You’ve always got to make sure that the players are looking ahead and looking to improve things.


“The players that we have in the dressing-room are good characters, they’re good professionals and we’ll be fine. I know we’ll be fine because they’re hurting – they’re hurting after every defeat and they’re hurting after games they draw that they should have won.


“That’s the good thing. That’s the reaction that I look for. We’re being positive, we’re working very, very hard at training and the players are showing the right reaction on the training field.


“It’s just a case of taking our confidence and showing our confidence and belief for the full 90 minutes.


“Come Saturday night, we know how difficult the job is going to be, but we went up there at the start of the season, played extremely well and we’re just looking to go and put in as good a performance as we did at the start of the season, and I’m sure if we do that then we’ll be fine.”


Referee: Derek Tomney


Match Stats


Jeff Henderson has scored twice against Limerick this season, with goals coming in the League and the EA Sports Cup.

This is the fourth meeting between the sides in all competitions this season. Sligo Rovers have scored six goals in the first three games with Limerick have only found the back of the net once, however, the last League meetings between the sides ended in a scoreless draw.


A clean sheet for Gary Rogers against Limerick would take him to 20 for the season, a new career best for the goalkeeper.


Betting


Sligo Rovers 4/11; Draw 10/3; Limerick 15/2.


Prediction


Sligo Rovers 2-0 Limerick.


Sligo Rovers


Injured: Evan McMillan, Ross Gaynor, Iarfhlaith Davoren.


Suspended: None.


Limerick


Injured: Shane Tracy, Shane Costelloe, Steve McGann, Pat Purcell, Brian O’Callaghan.


Suspended: Rory Gaffney, Shaun Kelly.