Wexford wait on injured players

Wexford have three main injury concerns ahead of their much-anticipated Leinster SHC semi-final against Kilkenny this Saturday.

Unlucky captain Darren Stamp has not trained fully since the Model men's first round win over Antrim. He pulled a calf muscle two days after that game, having already nursed hand and ankle injuries in recent weeks.

He remains a doubt for the Wexford Park clash with the Cats, as does his Oulart-the Ballagh club-mate Paul Roche, who aggravated a calf injury in training last Thursday. He is banking on an intensive course of physio and cryotherapy treatment.

Eoin Quigley suffered a dead leg whilst playing for his club Sarsfields in Cork over the weekend, but Garrett Sinnott, who had a hamstring problem, is back in contention after missing Wexford's Championship opener.

Kilkenny are the reigning Leinster champions and will want to make a statement this weekend after faltering badly in the Allianz Hurling League final against Dublin.

Wexford manager Colm Bonnar still rates the current Kilkenny crop as 'one of the greatest hurling teams ever'. He warned: "I saw Kilkenny hit Waterford for 26 points in a recent challenge game. So they are really hitting form."

But Bonnar, whose side will be backed by a big home crowd, added: "Having the first Championship game behind us will help, and the experience of the Cork and Tipperary matches in the league should also boost the lads in terms of confidence."

Matthew O'Hanlon and Harry Kehoe, who played in the victory over Antrim, will line out at full-back and midfield respectively for the Wexford Under-21s in tonight's provincial encounter with Kilkenny at Wexford Park.