Cavan game 'too soon' for McDonald

Mayo supporters will have to wait a little longer to see Ciaran McDonald back in the green and red as the 2004 All-Star is unlikely to feature in Saturday's All-Ireland SFC qualifier against Cavan.

Hampered by a long-term back injury, McDonald has not played competitively for Mayo since last September's All-Ireland final defeat to Kerry.

The Crossmolina forward also picked up a hamstring injury in training recently and Mayo boss John O'Mahony is unsure as to when McDonald will be ready to return to inter-county action.

"Ciaran is getting treatment and doing a bit of jogging but the problem is time. It was two weeks ago that he picked up that injury and recovering from a hamstring (pull) in that space of time is not really possible.

"Saturday's game is probably coming a bit too soon," he told the Mayo News.

Dual star Keith Higgins, who recently broke a bone in his hand, is also missing for the Castlebar clash, while Enda Devenney (viral infection) is a major doubt.

However, O'Mahony can call on the services of Austin O'Malley and Aidan Campbell who have both recovered from recent injuries.