Injuries and suspension force Donegal into changes

Donegal manager Brian McIver has made five changes to his team - most of them enforced - for tomorrow night's All-Ireland SFC first round qualifier against Leitrim (Carrick-on-Shannon, throw-in 7pm).

McIver has introduced four new forwards - Michael Murphy, Michael Hegarty, Kevin McMenamin and Ryan Bradley - with a number of regular attackers struggling for fitness.

Christy Toye is still getting over his recent bout of chickenpox, Brian Roper has a hamstring injury and Ciaran Bonner suffered a broken nose and suspected eye socket and cheekbone damage after a clash with his Donegal team-mate Colm McFadden in a club game last weekend.

McFadden is also out of tomorrow's game due to the straight red card he received for punching Brian Dooher in last month's Ulster semi-final defeat to Tyrone.

Defender Barry Dunnion, who missed the Tyrone game, is continuing his recovery from a recent hernia operation but better news for McIver comes with the availability of centre-forward Hegarty and corner forward Brendan Devenney, who have shaken off knee and ankle injuries respectively.

The fifth change sees Frank McGlynn replacing Eamonn McGee in the half-back line.

However, Donegal have made late alterations to their team in both of their championship matches so far this summer and may do so again at Pairc Sean MacDiarmada.

The Tir Chonaill men, beaten Ulster finalists last year, gained a 0-11 to 0-8 in the fourth round of the 2006 qualifiers before they were pipped by Cork - 1-11 to 1-10 in a tight All-Ireland quarter-final.

DONEGAL (SFC v Leitrim) - P Durcan; N McGee, P Campbell, K Lacey; F McGlynn, B Monaghan, P McConigley; N Gallagher (capt), K Cassidy; M Murphy, M Hegarty, R Kavanagh; K McMenamin, R Bradley, B Devenney.