Derry injuries beginning to clear up

The Derry football panel's walking wounded are set to make a return to action in the coming weeks, with seven players expected to be back for the Ulster Championship tie against Cavan or Donegal on June 16.

Conleith Gilligan is expected to make the quickest return and will be available within six weeks, after undergoing a hernia operation.

Fellow forward Eoin Bradley is also pretty close to returning for the Oak Leafers, while another five players are due to return to the fold ahead of their Championship opener.

Derry selector Barry Dillon says that a date for Bradley's return is likely to be confirmed this week.

"We will know better about Eoin later in the week. It is a wait-and-see situation to see how he goes," Dillon told the Irish News.

"But, definitely, nothing will be rushed with Eoin Bradley. We have a number of players on their way back from long-term injuries but there's no short-term fix."

He added: "They are working to get their fitness back to be ready for the Championship.

"It is encouraging to see fellas coming back into the fold again - the likes of Dermot McBride, John McCamley, Gerard O'Kane and Niall Holly - while Joe Diver is steadily building his fitness out on the field again."