Donegal forward Thompson out for season

Leon Thompson is expected to play no further part in Donegal's 2007 campaign as he undergoes exploratory surgery on a ligament injury.

The 22-year-old Naomh Conall clubman injured himself in Donegal's recent league clash with Limerick, sustaining severe ligament damage during the 4-6 to 2-12 draw at the Gaelic Grounds.

The diminutive Thompson, who stands at 5ft 8in and weighs in at 11-and-a-half stone, has been booked in for surgery next week.

Donegal boss Brian McIver, who is busy preparing his team for Sunday's NFL Division One final, explained: "Leon had a scan and he's probably going to be out for the remainder of the season.

"Going through the league we have been very fortuitous, from that particular point of view, as we picked up very few injuries. And then in the course of the last couple of weeks, it's changed for us."

McIver will wait until Saturday before revealing his team line-up for Sunday's Croke Park clash with Mayo.

Brendan Devenney (knee), Neil McGee (leg), Paddy McConigley (leg) and Rory Kavanagh (groin) are all injury doubts for what is the Ulster side's first appearance in a league final since 1996.