Preview: Galway United vs Sligo Rovers

Following a turbulent 10-day spell, where the highs of a comprehensive League Cup win were subsequently overwhelmed by the departure of a treasured asset and a gut wrenching defeat at Turners Cross, Galway United must now lift themselves from the canvas after another telling blow was delivered on Wednesday with the announcement of further player losses.

The visit of Connacht rivals Sligo Rovers is a tough examination of character at any point of the season, but Friday's contest is most certainly in the massive department for the Corribsiders. While the statement the club produced on Wednesday was a welcome development that clarified the current situation and addressed some of the mistakes made by all sides, realistically only a win that provides a glimmer of hope will brighten the mood of fans who may yet see their squad decimated even further.

Alan Murphy's return to the West is timely given the scarcity of options in attack, and Jeff Kenna will be hopeful he can refind the form that made him an iconic hero from his first spell with the club. Derek Glynn took his chances with supreme confidence in Cork, and may form a potent strikeforce with the Ballinrobe native. The departure of Gary Deegan is a huge blow to the Galway engine room, where Ciaran Foley and Daryl Robson will now be vying for a starting spot. Another option is for Regillio Nooitmeer, if he stays, to move back into the centre of defense and John Lester to reassume a midfield berth.

With Derek O'Brien gone, Jay O'Shea will assume the primary attacking threat from deep. The winger has shown encouraging glimpses of form of late, so all may not be lost. Sligo Rovers travel south looking for an improvement on their current run of form. An away win over Cobh is their only win in six, as a four point gap has now opened up between themselves and fifth-placed Drogheda United.

Derry City held the Bit O'Red scoreless last weekend, but Paul Cook's side could have comfortably had this game in the bag had Romauld Boco brought his shooting boots with him. A plethora of chances came to nothing, as the departure of leading scorer Faz Kudozovic began to sink in. The Bosnian was the difference between the sides in the Showgrounds in April, cracking in a stunning opener that broke Galway's resistance.

Sligo's only injury worry for the tie is energetic full-back Seamus Coleman who is rated doubtful with an ankle problem. Cook is confident a repeat of last week's performance will be enough to leave with a full quota of points. "We know that despite all the goings on off the pitch Galway will not be an easy game for us. They showed against Cork that they are a match for any side. Still, if we can produce the type of display that we showed against Derry and take our chances then we will take three points."

TG4's schedulers have picked an intriguing contest to begin their summer of eircom League coverage. On the weekend of the Connacht Football Final between two old rivals, can two Mayo men power Galway towards safety?

Kick off in Terryland Park is 7.45 p.m.