Canning poised for Galway return

Joe Canning is expected to have some involvement in Galway's 'must win' Allianz Hurling League Division 1 clash with Waterford on Sunday.

Canning, who scored 4-17 in last year's Championship, has been nursing a heel injury and has missed all of Galway's games so far in 2011.

The 22-year-old star forward looked sharp when returning to club action with Portumna last week.

Both Canning and Damien Hayes played the full 60 minutes in Portumna's 2-22 to 2-16 Senior League win over Kinvara, who had Shane Kavanagh starting at centre-forward.

Canning's return for Galway would be a timely one as free-taker Ger Farragher is ruled out for the final round match against Waterford at Walsh Park. He injured his knee against Tipperary recently, and Andy Smith (broken nose) is another absentee for this weekend.

The Tribesmen, who are the defending league champions, suffered a heavy 4-23 to 1-14 defeat at the hands of All-Ireland champions Tipperary last time out, and need to beat Waterford to reach their third Division 1 final in four years.

"Even allowing for Tipperary's excellence, that game provided a massive wake-up call for us all," explained Galway manager John McIntyre.

"Our destiny is in our own hands and we are expecting a massive challenge (from Waterford)."