Sligo Rovers boss Cook admits Blinkhorn loss 'a blow'

Sligo Rovers travel to Oriel Park to take on Dundalk in the Airtricity League Premier Division tonight, kick-off 7.45pm.

The Bit o’ Red will be without Matthew Blinkhorn and Danny Ventre for the trip to Louth.

Blinkhorn sustained a back injury in the 2-0 defeat against Shamrock Rovers on Monday and is expected to be sidelined for a number of weeks.

Ventre serves the final instalment of a two-match ban, although Gavin Peers and Alan Keane return from suspension after missing the win over St Patrick’s Athletic.

Rovers boss Paul Cook said: “It is a blow losing Matthew and it doesn’t look good for the next few weeks.

“It is a difficult game and it is something different, as all games are in this league. This is an away game where the team we are playing will try to win the match. With a lot of the games so far, it has been a case of the opposition trying to stop us play.

“When you look at their attacking four of Ross Gaynor, Daniel Kierans, Mark Quigley and Jason Byrne, that is a different proposition.”

Cook described the performance in the defeat to Shamrock last Monday as probably the worst in his four-year tenure at the club. He feels this week’s match is exactly what the team needs after such a disappointing result.

“There is nothing better for footballers than the next game when trying to bounce back from a defeat. We will go there with a fresh approach, looking to come away with the three points and a healthy position in the league table.”

The Lilywhites must to plan without former UCD midfielder Greg Bolger as he recovers from a thigh injury and Stephen Maher is also missing as he is struggling with a groin strain.

Eoghan Osborne remains out of contention as he recovers from a broken leg.

Dundalk boss Ian Foster said: “We’ll pay Sligo the respect that they deserve. Paul Cook has assembled a fantastic squad and it will be a very, very tough game.

“However, we’re the home team and the emphasis is on us to play on the front foot and try to win the game and that’s exactly what we’ll try to do.

“They are a very good side, and they’ve got excellent players all over the pitch.

“It’s going to be a difficult game regardless of their defensive record. Offensively, they’re very, very good. Both full-backs bomb forward and overlap the wingers.

“They play with a second striker, similar to ourselves, so that he’s dangerous when he gets on the ball, whether it’s Kirby, Russell, Ndo – whichever player he decides to play in there, they’ve all got bags of ability. We’re going to have to be very, very good on the night to get something out of the game.”