Paddy McCourt and Mark Coyle have failed to recover from knee injuries as Finn Harps prepare to host Longford Town at Finn Park on Friday evening (kick-off 8pm).
McCourt and Coyle both had to be withdrawn in the first half of last Friday’s 1-0 win at Drogheda United with injuries.
The midfield duo have been ruled out of the Longford game by manager Ollie Horgan, who welcomes Tommy McBride back from suspension.
Maltese defender Jacob Borg will be in the Harps squad for the first time, but Adam Duffy remains out of contention.
Narrow away wins over Cabinteely and Drogheda United have brought Harps firmly into the promotion shake-up after they had lost 3-2 to UCD in Ballybofey before the mid-season break.
Harps are now five points behind the leaders UCD, who recently saw ace striker Georgie Kelly depart for Dundalk.
Harps are just two points ahead of Longford, who could leapfrog them with a repeat of their 4-2 win at Finn Park on the June Bank Holiday weekend.
Then, goals by McCourt and Mikey Place had drawn Harps level after Aodh Dervin and Dylan McGlade put Longford 2-0 up by half-time. However, Sam Verdon and McGlade netted to give Town an impressive away win.
An injury time goal by Sam Todd had given Harps a 2-1 win at the City Calling Stadium in April, after McGlade had cancelled out Coyle’s early goal.
“Longford are probably the best side in the way they pass the ball with very good movement, that we come up against this season,” Horgan said
They won’t fear us and will definitely be coming to Finn Park looking to win the game. Dylan McGlade, Sam Verdon and Chris Mulhall know the League of Ireland scene well and there are plenty of other talented players who will make it very difficult for us. So we need to be focused from the start and not allow Longford to dictate the game.”
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