RORY KAVANAGH could make his first Donegal appearance in 16 months on Saturday-week in Newry.
Donegal open their Allianz League Division 1 campaign with an away game against newly-promoted Down at Pairc Esler and Kavanagh is one of a number of experienced players in line for a return to action.
Kavanagh has not played for the county since the All-Ireland final defeat to Kerry in September 2014, the St Eunan’s man having retired from inter-county football last year.
Kavanagh recently decided to do a U-turn on his retirement and was back in collective training with the Donegal squad following the completion of their Dr McKenna Cup campaign.
“Rory is looking in good shape,” the Donegal manager, Rory Gallagher, told Donegal Sport Hub.
“He has a bit of gym work and a bit of running work already behind him. He’s going well since he joined back with us. We’re delighted to have him.”
Eamon McGee and Neil Gallagher are also expected to feature in the match-day squad for the League opener against Eamon Burns’ Down.
“They’re all building their fitness and they’re coming on well.
“We’ll see how they’re progressing, but I’d be hopeful of having the boys for Newry.
Karl Lacey will not return until after the break in the League with the 2012 Footballer of the Year pencilled in for a March return.
The Donegal manager says he’ll ‘continue to monitor’ Colm McFadden and Christy Toye while David Walsh is recovering from surgery on a toe injury.
Danny Rodgers is, said Galalgher, ‘in pole position’ to wear the number 1 shirt in Newry. A quad injury, sustained in the minutes before Donegal’s McKenna Cup opener against Down in Ballybofey, means that Mark Anthony McGinley is ‘doubtful’.
Peter Boyle, drafted in following McGinley’s injury, will remain on the panel, and Rory Carr is to have his shoulder injury assessed further in Galway.
