Injury concerns for Derry and Westmeath

Derry manager James O'Kane and his Westmeath counterpart Kevin Martin both have injury worries in their respective panels ahead of this Saturday's Christy Ring Cup clash at Cusack Park in Mullingar (kick off: 2.30pm).

Beaten National Hurling League Division 3A finalists Derry have been hit with the news that both Liam Hinphy and Steven Henry are injury concerns.

Hinphy is ruled out for the remainder of the year, after the centre-half-back picked up a groin injury.

Meanwhile, Lavey clubman Stephen Henry is sidelined with an ankle injury.

"He (Henry) has been a key man and he'll be missed," Derry selector Sean McCloskey told the Irish News.

"Nobody needs to ask if Liam Hinphey will be missed. He's one of our main players, if not the main player."

There is mixed news for Westmeath manager Kevin Martin.

It has emerged that Brendan Murtagh's ankle injury is not as bad as was first feared.

The former Christy Ring Cup Player of the Year, limped off during The Downs, Westmeath Senior Football Championship tie last Sunday against Castledaly.

Martin has revealed that the swelling in Murtagh's ankle is going down and he is expected to play a role this Saturday at Cusack Park.

However Murtagh's fellow Clonkill clubman Paddy Dowdall is out with a hamstring problem, while defender Greg Gavin is also an injury concern.

Meanwhile Martin is also without forward Derek McNicholas and midfielder Robbie Jackson, who are both in America.

The Westmeath boss expects a tough test from the Oak Leafers.

"Northern sides are always big and tough and strong," he told Midlands 103.

"They probably have a lot of dual players as well, they will be very fit.

"They have a couple of scoring forwards as well, and we are not taking anything for granted. We are going out to treat it as any other Championship game, and hopefully just do the business."