Sligo Rovers will play their third game in the space of eight days as Cork City are this Saturday’s visitors to the Showgrounds, kick-off 7.45pm.
The game will be the Bit O’Red’s first outing at home in the second round of league fixtures following games in both Waterford and Derry over the Easter period. John Russell’s side took three points from those two games and will look to move out of the Premier Division’s bottom spot with a win over the Rebels this weekend.
This will be the second time the sides will face each other this term. Top-scorer Owen Elding gave Rovers an early lead at Turner’s Cross back in March, but the Leesiders hit back through Kitt Nelson in the second period as the points were shared.
Russell’s hand is strengthened for this one by the return of full-back Harvey Lintott to full fitness, while midfielder Connor Malley is available again having missed Tuesday’s defeat in Derry through suspension.
Ollie Denham will be assessed in the lead up to Saturday, while Wilson Waweru continues his recovery.
Speaking to sligorovers.com this week, Russell says his players must prove they can perform when called upon and feels Cork’s late win over Waterford on Monday will have them arriving in Sligo all guns blazing.
“There’s not really much point in me or anyone else talking too much about the game, it’s about actions. We can analyse and talk all we want but it’s worth nothing if we don’t go out on Saturday in front of our own supporters, on our own ground and take the game to Cork. The players, every one of them, know what is expected of all of them and they know what I want from them. I need them to do their talking on the pitch now.
“It’s all about actions now. We know how good we can be and we must show it. We’re a very young side but we also have experience and having someone like Connor back adds to that. Harvey being back also gives us a boost and hopefully we’ll have positive news on Ollie. We’re as close to full strength as we’ve been all year so we have no excuse on that front.
“Cork scored those late goals against Waterford and that’s going to have done a lot for them. They’re a very good side and they’ll be coming up here looking for another win.
“We will be as well prepared as we can be and the players will have all the information they need. We’re really looking forward to being back at the Showgrounds and we’re focused on putting in a good shift.”
David Goulden