Lohan returns to boost Rossies

Roscommon have been boosted by the return of team captain Stephen Lohan to their side for Saturday's All-Ireland SFC qualifier against Meath (Pairc Tailteann, throw-in 7pm).

The Kilbride clubman, 27, missed the Connacht semi-final defeat to Galway due to injury but with David Hoey out with a shoulder knock, Lohan's return at left half-forward could prove vital for the Rossies' chances.

Saturday's showdown in Navan is the third ever championship meeting between the counties - Meath won both of the previous encounters in 1952 and 1991.

Interestingly, Roscommon manager John Maughan is plotting against Meath for the first time in the championship since 1996 when his Mayo men heartbreakingly lost the All-Ireland final in a replay to the Royals.

Maughan has been forced to make another change at full-forward with Cathal Cregg of Frenchpark being handed his first championship start. The 19-year-old saw action as a substitute in both of Roscommon's Connacht SFC games against New York and Galway.

Cregg replaces the experienced Karol Mannion who broke a bone in his hand against the Tribesmen. He is expected to be sidelined for another 4-6 weeks.

ROSCOMMON (SFC v Meath) - G Claffey; P O’Connor, D Casey, S McDermott; S Daly, J Nolan, R Dooner; S O’Neill, B Mullin; M Finneran, G Heneghan, S Lohan (capt); J Tiernan, C Cregg, G Lohan.