Derry without injured Bradley

DERRY will have to plan without key attacker Paddy Bradley for the early stages of the NFL as he struggles to shake off a heel injury that prevented him from featuring in the Dr McKenna Cup over the past few weeks.

Bradley is certain to miss their opening game against Tyrone in Celtic Park on February 6 and will be a doubt for the tie against Dublin seven days later in Parnell Park.

Bradley’s brother Eoin did not feature in Sunday’s defeat against Down which ended Derry’s interest in this year’s Dr McKenna Cup but he will be fit for the start of the league while Ballinderry player Niall McCusker will resume training with the squad this week having spent time abroad recently.

The McGoldrick brothers, Sean Leo and Barry, are set to return from their time travelling in mid-February and should be available for Derry’s third league encounter against Kerry on March 7.

Meanwhile, Armagh captain Ciaran McKeever could be in line for a return to action for the opening round of NFL against Meath on February 6.

The Cullyhanna defender has recovered from a broken ankle injury and could have featured in Sunday’s Dr McKenna Cup defeat against Fermanagh, but manager Paddy O’Rourke opted to keep him in reserve. Stand-in captain Brendan Donaghy deputised for McKeever in the centre-back position but McKeever’s return would be a major boost to the inexperienced Orchard County squad.