Captain Keith Cowan and midfielder Mark Timlin will be absent when Finn Harps begin their Premier Division campaign against Bohemians tomorrow night (kick-off 7.45pm).
Harps are without Cowan, who is on a trip abroad with Coláiste Ailigh, where he works, while Timlin (pictured by Joe Boland, North West News Pix) remains sidelined with a knee injury.
Timlin had surgery on the injury during the closed season but is not ready to make his return to action.
Harps manager Ollie Horgan also has an injury doubt about new signing Harry Ascroft.
“From tomorrow night on it’s going to be to one hell of a battle for us to get points,” Horgan warned.
“As I’ve said before it’s good now to be at that this stage with pre-season at an end and we’re looking forward to getting out on the pitch for the first competitive game of the season.
“But it’s going to be a huge step up for us and it’s time to forget about the long unbeaten run we had in the second half of last season.”
Horgan says Harps will get a stern test of their credentials at Dalymount Park ahead of a meeting with champions Dundalk next week in Ballybofey.
Horgan said: “Keith Long and Trevor Crolly have done a really good job with Bohemians.
“They were very unlucky not to get to the FAI Cup Final last year and will be looking to build on that this season.
“Bohs will want to get off to a winning start so it’s up to our lads to make it really difficult for them. The likes of Derek Pender, Keith Ward, Kevin Devaney, Dinny Corcoran and Darragh Leahy are really good players but there is quality all through their squad.”
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