Players on the mend for Derry

Derry manager Paddy Crozier has a number of players back in contention for Saturday's All-Ireland SFC third round qualifier against Longford (Pearse Park, throw-in 5pm).

A total of seven players missed the Oak Leafers' nine-point win over Kildare at the start of the month.

But in recent days, defenders Sean Marty Lockhart (hamstring), Paul Carton (quad muscle) and Gerard O'Kane (ankle ligaments), midfielder Patsy Bradley (broken metatarsal) and forward Martin Donaghy (hamstring) have all played for their clubs, boosting Crozier's options for the Longford game.

Other injury worries - Barry McGoldrick (broken hand) and Dominic McIlvar (fractured jaw) - are definitely out of the running, while Liam Hinphey (hamstring) and Paul McFlynn (groin) may play some part against Luke Dempsey's side.

2004 All-Star Enda Muldoon is still suspended after his sending-off against Donegal.

Meanwhile, the Derry County Board have succeeded in having the throw-in time for Saturday's game brought forward from 7pm to 5pm. The move has been made to accomodate the Derry supporters who would have faced a late journey home.