Doyle back in training with Lilywhites

Top-scoring forward and captain John Doyle is back in training with Kildare ahead of Sunday week's Leinster SFC quarter-final with Offaly.

The 28-year-old Allenwood ace sustained a stress fracture in his foot earlier this month but was back in training on Wednesday night, allaying fears over his fitness.

However, Kildare manager John Crofton has an injury crisis in defence.

With full back Kevin O'Neill (hamstring) already a long-term victim, last Saturday's challenge match defeat by Galway only served to compound Crofton's selection problems.

The 0-15 to 2-14 loss in Ballinasloe saw veteran centre back Glenn Ryan sustain a fracture of the sternum (breastbone). Castledermot defender Damien Hendy, seen as an ideal replacement for Ryan, also fractured his wrist during the game and was operated on in Merlin Park Hospital afterwards.

Ryan and Hendy are both looking at a minimum six week recovery period for their injuries.

Also in the Kildare sick bay are defenders Anthony Rainbow, who pulled up with a tight hamstring whilst warming up in Ballinasloe, and David Lyons (ankle).