Jack Byrne's availability for Shamrock Rovers in tomorrow’s Europa League clash with KF Shkupi hangs in the balance.
The Ireland star has been dogged by injuries over the last two months and hasn’t started a game for the Hoops since May 23.
He shipped a calf injury in that clash away to Drogheda United and was sidelined for seven weeks.
Byrne returned to action and came off the bench late on in Rovers’s Champions League game away to Hibernians of Malta on July 12.
But he hasn’t featured since because of a hip-flexor / stomach problem and Hoops boss Stephen Bradley said today: “It will be 50-50 on Jack.”
Bradley continued: “I wouldn’t say you’ll see him starting. If he comes through (training) today, he’ll be involved, but only if he comes through today.
“If he’s feeling it or slightly in doubt he won’t be involved. We’ll see how today goes.”
Roberto Lopes definitely misses the clash with the North Macedonian outfit in Tallaght tomorrow.
The centre-back is out for another seven weeks after damaging medial knee ligaments in the recent home draw with Drogheda.
Bradley said: “He’s had two scans, seen the surgeon and they’re all happy that he doesn’t need surgery and that his rehab will be fine.”
New signing Simon Power, who made his debut in the FAI Cup win over Bangor Celtic, is likely to miss tomorrow’s game after shipping a knock in training on Monday.
Quizzed on Shkupi, Bradley said: “They’re Interesting. When you watch them away to Dinamo Zagreb they should have won the game (2-2 draw).
“And when you watch them at home to Dinamo they should have lost it by more than they did (1-0). It’s a really interesting one.
“Very similar against Lincoln Red Imps, away they were poor (lost 2-0) and at home they won the game 3-0.
“But anyone who can run Dinamo close – I think we saw Dinamo’s quality yesterday against Ludogorets (won 2-1) – shows they’ve got real threats we’ve got to respect.
“Their front four are very similar to Ludogorets in terms of pace and power.”
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