Sligo Rovers face Longford Town on Friday night in The Showgrounds in the SSE Airtricity League.

After Waterford withdrew from last week’s game, Rovers are back on the pitch for the first time since a 1-0 success over Dundalk.

The match is live on WATCHLOI. Commentary will be provided by Adrian Eames and Joseph Ndo.

Jordan Gibson, the club’s Player of the Month for March/April, scored the only goal in Oriel Park.

The Bit O’ Red are expected to receive a 3-0 victory for the Waterford game, which would move us to second place in the table.

Longford Town have failed to win since the opening day of the season but that does not tell the story for the midlanders who have competed well in every game on their return to the top flight.

Rovers came away from Bishopsgate with a narrow 1-0 victory and had to withstand a spirited second half from the home side.

In team news, Greg Bolger serves a one-game ban. Garry Buckley’s red card in Oriel Park was served in the Waterford game.

Danny Kane will return to training in the coming days. Darren Collins also misses out this week due to a sprained ankle. David Cawley is doubtful with a groin problem and will be tested pre-game.

Manager Liam Buckley said: “We used last weekend to give some rest to players who needed it because we had a few knocks and niggles which required that.

“For the players who didn’t need rest and haven’t seen as much game time, we did more work with them and overall managed the schedule as we needed.

“We have a good squad here but it’s a difficult league and the schedule can be congested at times so you keep all of that mind.

“Most of all, since we knew the Waterford game wasn’t happening we’ve been focused on this game with Longford. It was a decent result and performance in Dundalk, we came away with the win we wanted and we have to be ready for another tough game here.

“Longford are going to be full of energy and I think they’ve done quite well since being promoted. The match in Longford was a close one and Garry Buckley popped up with the only goal. We have to be ready for what Longford will bring here because they will be right at it as they have been all season.

“But overall our focus is on our own performance. We’ve done well so far this season to be high up in the table and it’s where we want to be. We’ll be looking to win more games and we know how hard it is do that in this league.

“Greg is missing this week and he has done well for us. Danny Kane has been progressing well and I expect him to come into training in the next few days.

“We’ve a good group here and anyone we call upon to come in will be ready.”