Murphy in fitness battle to line out against Lilywhites

MICHAEL MURPHY’S absence from training this week means the Donegal skipper is the prime concern ahead of tomorrow’s All-Ireland quarter-final against Kildare at Croke Park.

However, the full-forward is expected to shrug off the minor hamstring complaint that saw him miss training on Tuesday. Manager Jim McGuinness also has regular midfield duo Rory Kavanagh and Kevin Rafferty nearing fitness, while Leo McLoone and Dermot Molloy returned to training this week.

Kavanagh took a painkilling injection before the Ulster final win over Derry but was forced off before half-time with a recurrence of his ankle knock, while his while St Eunan’s of Letterkenny clubmate Rafferty missed the game altogether with a groin problem. Neil Gallagher, who made his first start of the season at Clones in Rafferty’s absence, and Martin McElhinney, who came in for Kavanagh, are on standby.