Buckley aims for further signings for the first team

SLIGO Rovers fans can expect to see “four or five” additions to the first team squad by the start of the new season.

Bit O’Red boss Liam Buckley that this is the approximate figure he is working with as he looks to finalise the first team squad over the coming weeks, with 15 players already signed for 2021.

In terms of new faces, Robbie McCourt, Greg Bolger, Shane Blaney and Jordan Gibson have all joined the Bit O’Red for the forthcoming season, while Romeo Parkes is back for a second term after impressing in 2019.

Manager Buckley, speaking to the club’s website, www. sligorovers.com, stopped short of saying which positions he is looking to further strengthen. But it can be assumed a forward is certainly somewhere near the top of his recruitment list, while Buckley may also have an eye on a left-back as questions continue to linger over the future of Regan Donelon and Alex Cooper, both of whom play in that position. It has also been speculated that goalkeeper Richard Brush could return to Rovers if youngster Luke McNicholas secures a loan move for the campaign ahead.

“I’m pleased with what we’ve done so far certainly. We have made offers to some players so we’ll see how that transpires,” Buckley said.

“We know the areas we’re looking in. I don’t want to speak much on it at this moment, we’re quite relaxed on the position we’re in.”

“We know the recruitment of the right players is of the utmost importance and the process is always our priority.” “That’s not just in January but it’s always at play, it’s a vigorous work to go through and it has to be. We’re aiming to improve the group for the new season.”

The date change for the start of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division to March 19 may also prove to be a blessing in disguise for Rovers as Ryan De Vries and Romeo Parkes are due to arrive in Ireland in February.

Buckley revealed that until then De Vries is training with Auckland City in New Zealand as his partner is pregnant with their second child and is due next month.

Meanwhile, Parkes will return from the United States upon the completion of documentation. It is anticipated he will only miss a small portion of the pre-season schedule.

Lewis Banks and Jordan Gibson have already arrived in Sligo and are currently self-isolating per government guidelines.

“Ryan and Romeo will join us afterwards, bearing in mind isolation protocols which we will be following totally as we did last season,” Buckley said. Rovers return to pre-season training on Thursday, February 4, while the new season is now set to begin on March 19 having been pushed back by a month from the original start due to Covid-19 restrictions.

ROVERS SQUAD

SIGNED FOR 2021 (15 PLAYERS): Ed McGinty, Luke McNicholas, Lewis Banks, John Mahon, Garry Buckley, Shane Blaney, Robbie McCourt, Greg Bolger, David Cawley, Niall Morahan, Mark

Byrne, Jordan Gibson, Romeo Parkes, Ryan De Vries, Johnny Kenny.