John Russell issues injury update as Sligo Rovers still without several key players

It doesn’t appear that Russell will be able to welcome back any of his injured players for Friday’s game against Bohemians.

John Mahon will be out long-term after picking up an Achilles injury in pre-season, while Nando Pijnaker looks to be out until at least the end of June after sustaining broken ribs in a collision with his own goalkeeper Ed McGinty.

Simon Power is set to see a specialist on Friday ahead of the game against Bohemians, but it’s likely he will be missing for another two weeks.

Will Fitzgerald suffered a hairline fracture to his toe in the defeat to Drogheda at Weavers Park.

And add to that the fact that striker Max Mata’s loan deal expired last Friday.

Russell said on Thursday: “You’re probably looking at 4-5 key first team players that we’re missing, four that were starting for the first few games, so we are down bodies.

"But the players over the last couple of games have stepped up and we’ve managed to go back to back clean sheets. We’re in good form going in to tomorrow.”

And Rovers’ lengthy injury list has undoubtedly impacted the Bit O’Red on the pitch, with Russell’s side recently putting an end to a six game win-less run when they beat St Patrick’s Athletic at The Showgrounds last Monday.

“They’re starters (missing players). We showed in the first 6/7 games, we were at one stage second in the league, I know it was early in the season you can’t read too much into it.

"We played all the teams that I felt were ear-marked to be top of the league, we should probably have beaten Shamrock Rovers at home, drew with Derry, I felt looking at the players that we had were a match for anyone in the league.

"We’re restricted in terms of our budget, and our resources compared to everyone else so it does impact us more-so than everyone else when you miss three or four starters.

"Our bench is full of kids that are 17, 18, we had a 15 year old in Aiden Gabbidon who was on the bench, he’s a good prospect but he’s 15. So injuries do hamper you.”

Rovers take on Bohemians on Friday evening in the live televised game. The two sides met on the opening day of the season, and Rovers were somewhat unlucky to come away with just a draw.

But it's all change at Dalymount Park ever since with Alan Reynolds now in charge after Declan Devine was sacked.

“It’s all change so I don’t think that game will have any relevance for tomorrow’s match. They have made the decision to bring Alan Reynolds in who’s hugely experienced in the league, I know Rennie well. Very good coach. Stephen O’Donnell has gone in as well, a lot of change from the start of the season, who would have predicted that?

"But, we know we’re in for a tough game. There’s no games where you think ‘that’s a handy three points’. What I will say is we’re going into the game off the back of two good performances, it’s a home game for us.

"The fans were excellent against Pats, they really got behind the team. We need that. I can’t emphasize that enough, especially when you’re going through a spell where you might not be getting the results you feel you deserve.

"The fans were massive for us at home on Monday and then even away in Galway and they’ll play a big part tomorrow.”