Sligo Rovers face Drogheda United on Saturday evening in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division in The Showgrounds, as supporters return to the venue again.

The Bit O’ Red go into the game on top of the table with Drogheda sitting in fourth.

In team news, David Cawley and Danny Kane have returned to training. Gary Buckley is doubtful with a muscle strain. Darren Collins and Jason Devaney are out with ankle and hamstring complaints while Romeo Parkes will serve a one-game ban.

“The break is what it is. We’re back to it now and we’re looking forward to being back out on the pitch for what is going to be a difficult game.

“We’re a prime example of how competitive the league is and that every game is an opportunity to pick up points. You have to work for every point you get in this league and if you don’t you’re going to be beaten. We’re very pleased with our total so far.

“That said, we’re far from getting ahead of ourselves. We know there are just 14 matches played in a 36-game season and there isn’t a great deal of points from first all the way down to eighth. There’s a long way to go and we just have to keep working hard and building on the momentum we have.

“Drogheda have have a great campaign so far and it’s not a surprise when you look at the experienced players like Dane Massey, Gary Deegan and a lot of quality players in a good squad. We know it’s a hard game and we have to be ready for it.

“We did particularly well to come away with the three points in Ballybofey having been down a man for a lot of the second half. We showed good character.

“Danny Kane is back and available this week which is great. We’re delighted to have him training every day.  

“Dave Cawley is also back training after missing some games prior to the break. We’ll check on Garry Buckley on a muscle strain while Darren and Jason will miss out this week.”

100 fans will return to The Showgrounds after being successful in a ballot of season pack holders.

Buckley added: “It’s great. We’re thrilled for the people who will be there with us and I’m sure we’ll hear them and they’ll be getting behind us.

“In time we hope to see more and more. As a club we’ve followed the Covid-regulations in the strictest detail and one of the many reasons for doing that is to get to a point where fans can be back in the stadium.

“As we know this is a fan-owned club. They make it possible for us to be representing Sligo Rovers and the people of the area and we really want to see and hear as many as we can as the restrictions ease.”