John Russell is hopeful he will be able to name John Mahon as part of his squad for a league game the first time since the end of the 2023 season when Sligo Rovers face Bohemians this Saturday night at the Showgrounds, kick-off 7.45pm.
Mahon has missed the full season to date following a ruptured achilles which he sustained in the lead up to the current season. The Collooney man played the last few minutes of the recent friendly against Celtic and is working towards a first competitive appearance in the Bit O’Red since the first weekend of November last year.
In other team news, Rovers will be without a number of first team players. Luke Pearce is suspended having been twice booked in the draw at the Ryan McBride Brandywell on Monday, while Ellis Chapman is being assessed this week having been withdrawn during that match with an ankle injury. He will miss Saturday’s game.
Wilson Waweru misses out with an achilles injury and won’t feature again this season, nor will Stephen Mallon. While Conor Reynolds, who agreed terms on a professional deal this week is unlikely to feature as he continues his journey back to full fitness.
Russell has called on the Sligo public to back his side in big numbers. The Rovers boss has been delighted with the support from the stands both home and away and having witnessed over five thousand supporters at the Showgrounds for the Celtic game and a sold out away end at the Brandywell, is keen to see a packed ground this weekend.
“It’s been superb”, he says. “We saw the appetite there is for live football last week at the Celtic game. The place was packed, it was incredible. We’ve had some big crowds for games this season but we’d love to have even bigger numbers here on Saturday because the players deserve it.
“They have been brilliant this season and on a consistent basis. They are leaving all they have on the pitch and nothing less. They deserve a sold out Showgrounds so we’re asking for football fans from all over the north west to come see a team that wants to entertain you.
“You’ll have two sides, ourselves and Bohs giving everything they have to get three points. We’re both working towards our own goals and we have three games left to get as many points as possible.
“From our point of view, there are nine points left on offer and we’ll be doing all we can to get nine points from these last three games.”
On Mahon, Russell said: “He’s worked very hard to make his way back to fitness. He’s a player you want in your side as he’s a supporter, a local boy. Rovers fans wont need me to tell them how important he is so we’re hoping he’ll be fit enough to take part.”
The Sligo chief has also called on his squad players to make the most of the opportunities afforded to them by the loss of several starting players and has urged them to grasp the opportunity.
“We’re down bodies again but it’s a great chance for some boys who might not start regularly to come in and make a hero of themselves and make a real difference in our season. It’s a huge opportunity for them and I’m looking for them to make the most of it.”
David Goulden