Longford hit with transfer request

Longford Town’s preparations for tonight’s clash with Shamrock Rovers have been dealt a blow having accepted a transfer request from striker Sean Francis.

Francis, who scored in last season’s FAI Cup final triumph over St Patrick's Athletic last November, asked the club to be put on the transfer list following his omission from the UEFA Cup second leg with Liechtenstein’s FC Vaduz, a tie Longford lost 4-2 on aggregate.

Town have been sliding down the eircom League Premier Division and are now one spot above bottom club Dublin City in the table, albeit with games in hand over Derry City one place above them.

The club agreed to the forward’s request and have placed him on the transfer list, a year and eight months after he joined the club in a €10,000 transfer from Shamrock Rovers.

Francis' imminent exit adds to their woes with Darragh Sheridan and Stephen Paisley ruled out by long-term injuries suffered against Vaduz last Thursday night and Philip Keogh also missing tonight's match through injury.

Skipper Barry Ferguson faces a late fitness test. Rovers will have striker Stephen Grant out serving a one-match ban while midfield duo Derek Tracey and Paul Caffrey miss out through injury.