Cork City's injury worries easing with Cathal O'Sullivan ready for action

"The really, really pleasing part for us so far is I think the new signings have settled in very quickly and are performing at a very high level," said Cork City manager Tim Clancy. 

Teenager Cathal O'Sullivan had been unavailable since the opening night draw with Galway. Pic: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile

Cork City manager Tim Clancy had some good news on the injury front over the international break. Cathal O'Sullivan has returned to training and will be available to face league leaders Drogheda at Turner's Cross on Friday night. The teenager had been out with a knee injury since the opening night draw against Galway. 

"Evan McLaughlin's made great strides as well," said Clancy.

"He's back, fully striking balls and sprinting. Friday might be a little bit too early for Evan possibly, but you'd imagine he'd be very close after that. 

"Harry Nevin's only a few weeks away from being back into full availability. Greg Bolger's probably another two weeks away as well. Seani (Maguire) and Malik (Dijksteel) are a little bit further than that, and then Conor Drinan as well."

City drew 1-1 away to reigning Premier Division champions Shelbourne last time out. Clancy thought there were many positives to take from the game. 

"When they had to change shape at half-time, and make personnel changes, it sort of gives you encouragement that you're doing the right things in the first half," said Clancy.

"And we probably just didn't have the experience on the bench to impact the game as much as Shel's had. They brought on some top-class players in the second half. I suppose a point away from home against the champions when you have seven first-team players out isn't a bad result.

"The really, really pleasing part for us so far is I think the new signings have settled in very quickly and are performing at a very high level. TT (Tein Troost) in goal has been excellent. Two centre-backs, Freddie (Anderson) and Milan (Mbeng), have been very good. Benny Couto has been a revelation at left-back and you look at the lads in the middle of the pitch where Rio (Shipston) and Kitt (Nelson) have done very well. Alex Nolan has been superb as well."