Rovers’ victory
CLIFTONVILLE SLIGO ROVERS 0 1 RAFFAELE Cretaro is expected to return to the Sligo Rovers squad to face a Defence Forces XI at the Showgrounds tomorrow evening.
The Bit O’Red veteran missed last week’s outings against Longford and Cliftonville due to a back injury.
Manager Dave Robertson told the Sligo Champion that Cretaro’s absence was purely precautionary.
He also confirmed that Gary Armstrong is still struggling with an ankle injury he picked up during his loan spell at Ballinamallard.
“Had these been league games Raf would have made himself available”, Robertson stated.
“But our priority is to get him fit for the opening game against Limerick.
“However, I’d imagine Gary is still a few weeks away from full fitness.”
The Rovers boss was pleased with the manner of last Friday’s 1- 0 win in Belfast.
Mathew Stevens struck in the 55th minute after Reds goalkeeper Peter Burke failed to properly clear John Russell’s dangerous set piece.
The Peterborough loanee reacting quickest to slot the ball past the stranded net minder.
“It was a good performance against a strong team”, Robertson added.
“The pleasing thing was that we’ve overcome a team who were at full strength, are in the middle of their season and they’re flying in their division.
“From our side it was a strong performance and we can take a lot of positives from it.”
The search to further strengthen the squad ahead of the season’s opener in Limerick in two weeks continues.
“I’m still speaking to a few clubs and players”, the Londoner added.
“We were very close to something at the weekend and we’ll see how that goes.
“We’ve options still open to us. “For me, it’s all about getting the right people to suit our style.”
Ahead of the Defence Forces clash, Dave says tomorrow’s opponents will see Rovers go up against a “physical and organised” side.
“They’ve just come off the back of a great World Military Games.
“They’ll be strong and disciplined and that’s the challenge we require.” CLIFTONVILLE: Burke, Ives, Ramsey, Curran, M Donnelly, Winchester, Gormley, J Donnelly, Cosgrove, G Donnelly, Finnegan. SLIGO Rovers: Patton; Adebayo- Rowling, Boylan, Callan- McFadden ( Leahy 54), Donelon; Kearns ( Place 85), Roddan ( Kenny 76), Russell, Sadlier; Martin; Stevens ( Ayunga 54). SLIGO Rovers is getting more than € 16k from UEFA for releasing former Estonian player Sander Puri for the European qualifiers. Rovers is the only Irish club to receive a welcome cash boost from UEFA ahead of the start of the SSE Airtricity League at the end of the month. The money is a result of a deal between the governing body and the European Club Association to share the proceeds of international football with the teams who supply the talent. Ireland’s only recipients were Sligo Rovers, with a payment of € 16,706 (£ 14,265) while Linfield Town were the only beneficiary in Northern Ireland, getting more than £ 50,000. Puri, 28, is currently with Waterford.