Ward in for Royals ahead of Laois qualifier

Cian Ward will replace the injured Stephen Bray in the Meath team to play Laois in tomorrow's All-Ireland SFC fourth round qualifier.

Bray sustained an ankle injury during last Sunday's Leinster final and will not be risked by manager Seamus McEnaney.

Ward, who was a second half substitute against Dublin, has been pencilled in at top of the left alongside Brian Farrell and Joe Sheridan.

Farrell top scored with 0-7 against the Dubs and substitute Jamie Queeney helped himself to a late goal, but he has been unable to force his way into the starting line-up.

Kevin Reilly had to be replaced by Eoin Harrington after 25 minutes last Sunday, however he has been retained at full-back despite doubts over his Achilles injury.

The Tullamore tie (throw-in 3.30pm) will be Meath's sixth outing of this summer's Championship - they have already played Wicklow, Carlow (twice), Kildare and Dublin.

The Royals are bidding to reach the last-eight for the first time since they were crowned Leinster champions in 2010.

But they will have to buck a trend as historically the beaten provincial finalists have struggled to get results in the qualifiers just six days after losing their finals.

MEATH (SFC v Laois): David Gallagher; Donal Keogan, Kevin Reilly, Mickey Burke; Donnacha Tobin, Shane McAnarney (capt), Bryan Menton; Conor Gillespie, Brian Meade; Alan Forde, Damien Carroll, Graham Reilly; Brian Farrell, Joe Sheridan, Cian Ward.