Baker faces fitness test ahead of Hoops' cup tie

League leaders Shamrock Rovers will be looking to progress to the FAI Ford Cup quarter-finals when they take on Longford Town at Flancare Park tonight, kick-off 8pm.

Craig Sives is back training after his recent groin injury and is expected to be available for the game.

Longer term injury absentee, Dessie Baker is also back training, but Hoops boss Michael O’Neill said he will assess before the game if Baker is ready to come back into action.

There are doubts over Dan Murray (groin) and Tommy Stewart (thigh), while Pat Sullivan (knee) remains out.

O’Neill said: “This is a game we must approach properly. Longford have a young side and they will be keen to prove themselves and make an impression in a game like this.

“This is the Cup, and with the final in the Aviva this year, everyone wants to be there. So we must make sure we do everything properly on the night, and if we do, we can get the win.

“Tony (Cousins) has had to build from the bottom up at Longford, and because of that they are a young, mainly inexperienced side. But with that comes a lot of pace, which we will have to deal with on the night. There are always surprises in the Cup, and we’ll have to do our best to make sure we’re not one of them.”