Michael Murphy is poised to make his Donegal return this evening.
Murphy has not yet featured for Donegal in 2019, but Declan Bonner is expected to include the Glenswilly man tonight as he aims to get his side back to winning ways.
Murphy looked set for an appearance last Sunday when he was sent to warm up during the second half of the game against Fermanagh.
However, the game came and went without Murphy seeing action.
Defeat in that game at O’Donnell Park, following a loss in their previous outing in Tipperary, leaves Donegal looking to stop the rot when they host Armagh in Ballybofey (throw-in 7.15pm).
Donegal skipper Murphy has been kept in reserve so far this year – but is set to be unleashed against the Orchard with the Tir Chonaill attack having misfired of late.
“We need to be more clinical and when we get on top of teams we need to get more scores on the board,” Bonner said last weekend.
“We weren’t clinical enough to get further in front and see off the game. “We didn’t convert when we were in the ascendancy. It was very similar to the game in Tipperary.
“That was disappointing. It’s back to the drawing board and it’s a big learning curve for these young lads.”
Paddy McGrath – whose next appearance for Donegal will be his 100th – may have to wait to make his return, while the same is true for Frank McGlynn.
Bonner has welcomed the Gaoth Dobhair contingent – with the exception of Odhrán Mac Niallais, who is on an extended break from county duty – back again.
Last week, Odhrán McFadden-Ferry was an unused sub and could well see some game time for his senior debut this evening.
Donegal’s hopes of making an immediate return to Division 1 suffered set-backs with defeat to Tipperary and Fermanagh, but victory this evening would bring Bonner’s men back into the mix again.
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