League Preview: Waterford -v- Sligo Rovers

Keith Long

Keith Long Credit: Liam Coughlan (ETPhotos)

WATERFORD 

Waterford boss Keith Long will remain without captain Barry Baggley when his Blues host Sligo Rovers on Friday night (kick-off is at 7.45pm). 

Baggley is set to remain out until August, with winger Maleeace Asamoah also set to miss out on the clash against the Bit O’Red. 

“We’re erring on the side of caution as per the instruction of the medical staff at the football club and we’ll be guided by them,” Long told the Waterford News and Star last week. 

“Unfortunately we’re looking at maybe the end of July or into August maybe, but we’re hoping that we may have him available for the last quarter of the season.”

SLIGO ROVERS 

Sligo Rovers boss John Russell has a lengthy absentee list to contend with as Waterford host his Bit O’Red. 

Nando Pijnaker, John Mahon and Simon Power are out injured and will be joined on the injury list by youngster Conor Reynolds. 

Striker Stefan Radosavljevic is on international duty with the Faroe Islands. Teenagers Daire Patton, Kyle McDonagh, David Jonathan and Aiden Gabbidon are also unavailable due to their involvement in state exams. 

But Rovers head into the tie after claiming back to back Bank Holiday weekend wins over Shelbourne (2-1) and Drogheda United (2-1). 



“We picked up two great results over the June Bank Holiday weekend. But those games are done now and although it gives us something to build on, we must focus on a difficult game at the RSC,” Russell said.

“Both sides have already beaten each other in the other club’s home ground so we’re expecting it to be a tight encounter once again as neither team really dominated in either game. 

“We’ll be without a handful of players due to injuries, international call-ups and exams. But that’s the way it goes and you’ve got to be able to deal with these things as they come along. 

“We wish our young players sitting exams the best of luck and we’ll see them back once they are finished.”

Referee: Neil Doyle. 

 



PREDICTION 

Waterford 2-0 Sligo Rovers

 

Waterford 

Injured: Maleeace Asamoah, Barry Baggley. 

Doubtful:None. 

Suspended: None. 

 

Sligo Rovers 

Injured: Nando Pijnaker, John Mahon, Simon Power, Conor Reynolds. 

Doubtful: None. 

Unavailable:Stefan Radosavljevic (international duty), Daire Patton (state exams), Kyle McDonagh (state exams), David Jonathan (state exams), Aiden Gabbidon (state exams).

Suspended:None.

 

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