Michael Donnellan is set to be in the Galway side for the championship as part of a deal that sees him changing clubs in Galway. Donnellan is to join Salthill in what is expected to be the first step towards him returning to the Galway team for the championship.

The former footballer of the year, who has not joined the panel since Galway were knocked out of the championship last year, is expected to be back in the fold in a short time.

Donnellan should be back in the squad in time to prepare for Galway's championship opener against New York next month.

The catalyst to his return is the smooth transfer from his native Dunmore MacHales to Salthill. The matter came before a meeting of Galway Football Board on Wednesday night. Dunmore MacHales did not object to the transfer and there were no other objections.

The matter will go before a full county board meeting for ratification. It is believed that part of the deal was that Donnellan would make himself available to the Galway selectors.

Donnellan has not been in the squad since Peter Ford took over as manager, though Ford has always indicated that his squad is open-ended.