DERRY CITY manager Declan Devine has a selection headache of a different kind for the trip to Shelbourne this evening, Saturday, August 15 (kick off 5 pm).
He has more or less a full deck to play with for the first time since the re-start after the Coronavirus lockdown.
Quarantine regulations had denied Devine the chance to use Adam Hammill, James Akintunde, Ibrahim Meite and Jake Dunwoody against Sligo on opening night, and the latter pair also had to sit out the games against St. Pat’s and Shamrock Rovers.
The quartet will now be available for the Shels game however and the City manager is more than happy to be spoilt for choice.
“It’s a nice change of pace to have all our options available after quarantine” he began.
“There is so little time left in the season so it was frustrating that they had to sit it out, but the players themselves have been desperate to get going.”
“I said last week that every single game is vital and it’s the same again on Saturday. We’ve had the Europa League draw and the FAI cup draw this week and people rightly want to talk about those.”
“The players and staff have remained focused solely on Shelbourne however and all our preparations this week has been on that one game.
“It’s been a while since we played at Tolka Park, but it’s a great ground and we’re looking forward to it.”
“They’re in good shape themselves and have loads of experience in the ranks. I have no doubt this will be another tough challenge- I’m expecting nothing less- so it’s up to us to be ready for that.”
Darren Cole’s return against the league leaders was a huge boost to the Derry defence and the Scot’s presence gives the back four a solid look.
The availability of both Meite and the impressive Akintunde is good news at the other end of the pitch for a Derry side looking to bounce back from an unfortunate defeat to Rovers last time.
