Injuries worry Bohs ahead of vital Champions League clash

Bohemians take on Welsh champions TNS (The New Saints) at Dalymount Park in tonight’s second qualifying round of the Champions League (kick-off 7.45pm).

The Gypsies must plan without Steven Gray and Anto Murphy who are both still sidelined with Achilles injuries, while Aaron Greene remains out with an ankle injury.

Bohemians manager Pat Fenlon is confident that experience will see his side through what will be a tricky encounter.

He said: “We got a bit more youth into the team this year and that’s starting to show benefits. We’ve also got experienced players who have been around a bit and they have played in Europe.

“The older lads know it’s a different game, played over two legs, and that’s not something the younger players are used to. So it’s important that we have the older players to help the younger ones.”

Fenlon recently watched tonight’s opponents take on Linfield in a pre-season friendly at Windsor Park and he was impressed with what he saw.

Fenlon added: “They are a very good side, as good as anything in our league and probably better than most.

“They are a quality team and they passed the ball around a fair bit in the two games I saw them in.

“Their results in Europe have been decent. They have gone out by not by too many goals. They have lost by the odd goal here and there, playing against strong opposition.

“They have had a few pre-season matches and haven’t conceded a goal so far. The one advantage we will have over them should be our fitness levels. Hopefully that can count in the game.

Saints midfielder Barry Hogan is a doubt ahead of the trip to Dublin as he has been suffering from food poisoning.

Winger Craig Jones is another doubt as he is carrying a groin strain but should be fit to start.

TNS are the reigning Welsh league champions, having won