Canning the latest worry for Galway

The Galway hurlers might have to begin their Leinster SHC bid without veteran defender Ollie Canning, who is currently nursing an ankle injury.

He is hoping to take a full part in tonight's training session as the recently-crowned NHL Division 1 champions prepare to face Wexford in Saturday's quarter-final at Nowlan Park (throw-in 7pm).

"I went over on an ankle, it was a simple thing to do," explained Canning. "If I'm not able to put in a full session this week, then I won't feature on Saturday evening."

Galway manager John McIntyre is already planning without the injured Kevin Hayes and Fergal Moore, while Ger Farragher (dead leg), Richie Cummins (calf), Niall Healy (ankle), Conor Dervan (dislocated thumb) and Donal Barry (dead leg) have all been nursing knocks of late.

McIntyre has had a less than ideal build-up to the Championship due to a spate of injuries, and even had to cancel a training session last Tuesday as only 12 of the 33-man panel were fit to train.

This will be Galway's second crack at the Leinster title. The Tribesmen bowed out at the semi-final stage last year, going down 2-20 to 3-13 to eventual Leinster and All-Ireland champions Kilkenny.