By Paul Doyle
St. Patrick’s Athletic may have enjoyed a comfortable win over Galway last weekend, but the injuries sustained in that match are posing a headache for manager Pat Dolan ahead of tomorrow night's televised Dublin derby against Shelbourne.
The three players who were substituted during the 4-0 victory are all "major doubts" for tomorrow’s much-hyped clash.
Midfielder Martin Russell, whose set pieces are always an asset for St. Pat’s, aggravated a groin strain in Galway and is unlikely to be fit. Gavin Doyle is still recovering from the head wound which required 10 stitches last weekend, and striker Liam Kelly is suffering from a knee injury.
Defender Willie Burke, stretchered off during the home win over Shamrock Rovers three weeks ago, will not resume training until next week.
Meanwhile, St. Pat’s General Manager Gary Branigan said today the club is "very close" to deciding whether it will appeal the league’s ruling which docked the club nine points for fielding an ineligible player earlier this season.
St. Pat’s have until next Monday to lodge an appeal, and a meeting of all national league clubs earlier this month indicated an arbitration committee may reduce the penalty to three points. St. Pat’s, however, may opt to refer the case to the legal courts in an effort to get back all nine points.