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Sir Bobby backs bid to keep Keane at United

by Mark Bradley and David Anderson
MANCHESTER UNITED director Sir Bobby Charlton has insisted that the club will do everything in their power to ensure that influential captain Roy Keane signs a new contract to keep him at Old Trafford.
And it seems that could even include breaking United's wage structure when talks finally take place with the midfielder over the summer.
Keane, whose current deal expires at the end of next season, is reportedly looking for an increase from £23,000 to £40,000 a week.
Although his solicitor was at pains to stress that the midfielder is not holding the club to ransom, Keane admitted that it ''could be very interesting'' if terms could not be agreed.
United have insisted that they do not want negotiations with the Republic of Ireland international to disrupt their title and European campaigns, so will not hold talks until the close season.
But there is no doubt that manager Alex Ferguson and the club's board realise the vital role that Keane fills at the club, with his return from injury this season having provided the backbone of a renewed title campaign.
The idea that he could leave Old Trafford on a free transfer under the Bosman ruling if his contract ran out — or be sold next season to ensure a transfer fee was obtained — would send shivers of fear down the spine of every United supporter.
United legend Sir Bobby declared: ''Roy is a great player. I don't think there'll be any problem at the end of the day. We'll try to sort something out with him.
''We wouldn't want to lose him. We don't want to lose any good players as there's not so many of them around.''
Sir Bobby, who was speaking at Expo 99, the football trade fair in Cannes at which he is promoting England's World Cup 2006 bid, acknowledged that United have previously held firm to a rigid pay structure for their players.
However, when it was put to him that Keane's demands could break that, he confidently maintained: ''There'll be an agreement, I'm sure of that.
''I've no doubt that we'll work hard to keep him, we certainly don't want him to go anywhere else.''
Keane, 27, who could earn a huge salary if he moved to the Continent, had insisted that although he hoped agreement could be reached with United, he would not sign a contract if it did not meet his requirements.
His solicitor Michael Kennedy added yesterday: ''Roy is very happy at Manchester United and he's the captain of the club, which happens to be the largest club in the world.
''He would like to think that he will be there for the rest of his career, but like everything else in this current climate he expects to be well rewarded for his remaining years there.
''He's not looking for anything other than what he would expect to get in the market at this current time.''
Kennedy claimed it was premature to talk about what terms Keane wanted because negotiations had not even started yet.
''It's early days yet and there are some silly figures being mentioned at the moment and whether they are justified remains to be seen,'' he said.
''No negotiations have taken place yet — they will no doubt open in the summer — and so we don't even know what's on the table.''
Fears have been expressed that United could struggle to find the funds which would keep skipper Keane happy with the proposed BSkyB takeover still pending.
However, chairman Martin Edwards showed no sign that the club were panicking over Keane's future as he maintained: ''Roy has 18 months left on his contract and our policy is to look at the situation the year before it ends.
''We don't plan to bring this forward and we will get down to talks in the close season.''

UCD make Rockmount pay for blowing Cup chance

UCD 2
Rockmount 0
by Noel Spillane
ROCKMOUNT'S FAI Cup dreams were shattered at Belfield Park last night, with UCD leaving the Munster Senior League representatives regretting the fact that they had blown their chance of glory at their own pitch over the weekend.
The Munster Senior League kingpins had so wanted to win for their injured star, Philip Hogan who was back home in Cork recuperating after suffering a horrific fractured shin bone in Sunday's drawn match at Whitechurch. However, goals from Alan Mahon and Michael O'Byrne in the opening 27 minutes sealed the students' passage to the next round and a, money-spinning tie away to St Patrick's Athletic.
The result was inevitable, as UCD ran the midfield show from the kick-off on another bitterly cold night in the capital and, with Ciaran Kavanagh back in the side after a bout of 'flu and pulling the stings in midfield, there was always only going to be one winner.
There was a stroke of luck about Alan Mahon's opening goal after 19 minutes, though, as his shot, following a partially-cleared corner, took a wicked deflection, giving goalkeeper Packie Cassidy no chance.
The irony was that the man at the centre of the penalty award that never was in Cork last Sunday should score the opening goal and it was not lost on the Rockmount party, as they mulled over their predictable Cup exit back at the Montrose hotel afterwards. Joint managers Billy Cronin and Noel Burke, who have been with the club since the days when Roy Keane skipped around Rockmount Park as a schoolboy protégé, accepted last night's exit on the chin.
"It's hard to accept the defeat tonight, but the better team won on the night. If we are to be honest with ourselves, we know we had our chance of glory last Sunday, but we lost it," said Cronin.
"We were outplayed in the first half, but we hit back well and we held them scoreless in the second half. I just hope we learn from the experience and use that to good affect when the Intermediate Cup games come around next month," he added.
Mid-way through the first half, Ciaran Martyn scuffed a half chance from outside the box and big Clive Delaney powered a header just wide from another dangerous Mick O'Byrne corner kick as the home team carried the game to Rockmount.
The visitors were pinned deep in their own half for much of the opening 45 minutes and lacked creativity and imagination in attack.
O'Byrne added the assurance goal in the 27th minute and, while there was a definite suspicion of offside, the goal ended the contest.
First Alan Martin lost possession in the centre circle and then Jason Lynch's clearing header was cut out by Kavanagh and he put O'Byrne clean through from half-way to run on and shoot low past the advancing Cassidy.
Cassidy saved again from Kavanagh, whose inclusion last night brought the students back to full strength.
Rockmount's first real threat was a long-range shot from Pat Oldham after 43 minutes, which was held by Barry Ryan.
Rockmount had two players, Niall Lane and Kieran O'Shea booked early in the second half, as their frustrations surfaced in reaction to the incessant pressure. However, it must be said, Rockmount did come more into the action in the second half and should have had a penalty ten minutes from the end.
UCD skipper Aiden Lynch, in the running for the December "Player of the Month" award, dragged down Kieran O'Shea inside the box but, once again, play was waved on by a reluctant match official.
Last night's Cup victory means that UCD have now stretched their unbeaten run to nine matches under team manager, Theo Dunne, and are close to establishing a club record.
UCD: Ryan; McDonnell, Delaney, Mahon; McLoughlin, Martyn, Kavanagh, Lynch (capt), Dunne; O'Byrne, Fitzpatrick. Subs. Bennis and Kilmurray for Dunne and Fitzpatrick (both 76 mins), J. Martin for C. Martyn (86 mins).
ROCKMOUNT: Cassidy; Busteed, J. Lynch, O'Brien; K. O'Sullivan; Falvey, Martin (capt), Lane, Oldham; O'Shea, Brosnan. Subs. Deasy for Lane (73 mins), A. Lynch for O'Shea & Foley for Brosnan (both 90 mins).
Referee: John McDermott (Dublin)
Gate receipts: £820.

£103 million Wembley
deal gets the green light

THE long-awaited £103million deal to sell Wembley stadium to the Football Association has finally been completed.
Wembley plc's board ended months of speculation by putting pen to paper yesterday to pave the way for the £320m project to build a new national stadium, which would form the centrepiece of the bid to host the 2006 World Cup, to be completed.
Shareholders' approval is expected within the next month to seal the deal, which sees ownership of the stadium and adjoining land passing to the English National Stadium Development Company, a subsidiary of the FA.
The future of the Twin Towers still has to be resolved and renovation work cannot start until at least next year, once the FA have obtained planning consent as well as the go-ahead from English Heritage to knock down a listed building.
But the finance is already in place, with the FA contributing £200m and the Sports Council - using Lottery funding - a further £120m, from which the £103m cost of the stadium has already come.
ENSDC chief executive Bob Stubbs, who confirmed that the sale had been agreed, admitted that negotiations had been ''complicated'' although he dismissed reports that delays had been threatening to scupper the deal.
But now Stubbs is determined to look forward and he declared: ''I'm absolutely delighted. A new National Stadium is crucial to the 2006 World Cup bid and as the FA will now own the stadium, all profits will be ploughed back into the game's grass-roots.''

Batty blow as Leeds
prepare for Cup replay

by Ian Parkes
LEEDS manager David O'Leary was yesterday handed a further crushing injury blow with the news that David Batty will be out for at least another month.
The bombshell comes on the eve of his side's FA Cup third round replay with Rushden and Diamonds, and is the latest setback in a catalogue of catastrophes to hit the club.
England international midfielder Batty has yet to kick a ball in anger since breaking a rib on his second debut — following a £4·4million move from Newcastle — in Leeds' 2-0 home win over Coventry on December 14.
The injury came during a crippling spell which has seen O'Leary lose central defenders Robert Molenaar — who undergoes surgery today — and Martin Hiden to season-long knee ligament damage.
O'Leary is almost certain not to risk fellow centre-back and skipper Lucas Radebe for the 40,000 Elland Road sell-out, with the South African only having played 70 minutes in the reserves since his own knee injury against Coventry.
Teenager Jonathon Woodgate is also very doubtful with a thigh strain which forced him out of Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Blackburn during the half-time interval, which again leaves O'Leary with only one recognised central defender in David Wetherall.
The frustrated United boss said: ''David has been training with us but his broken rib is still painful, so he will be out for at least another month.
''I don't know when our injury jinx is going to let up and leave us alone. But we've an exciting cup tie and we've got to show that we can cope with this crisis that has hit us.''
Rushden produced a heroic display in the goalless draw at Nene Park 10 days ago, when the "Diamond Geezers," owned by multi-millionaire Dr Martens owner, Max Griggs, upstaged the Premiership club.
But it was a performance which was nothing less than O'Leary expected, and given his team's tale of injury woe, tonight's (Wed) battle will be no foregone conclusion.
O'Leary added: ''Rushden certainly didn't take me by surprise in the first game. I had seen them on the Monday before the tie and I knew they were a very professional outfit.
''I always knew it would be tough, particularly knowing how brittle we were at the back going into the game, and we're going to be struggling defensively again.
''The most disappointing thing is that we have been so hurt by injuries in one department. I've not ruled Jonathon Woodgate out yet, but he is struggling and will have a test tomorrow. But with the number of injuries we've had, I'm proud of the way the players have kept going.''
If Woodgate fails his test and O'Leary refuses to gamble on Radebe, then Norwegian internationals Gunnar Halle and Alfie Haaland are likely to figure alongside Wetherall at the back.

Dalglish wants to stay in Toon

by Damian Spellman
NEWCASTLE striker Paul Dalglish has vowed to fight for his place amid rumours that he could be heading out of St James' Park.The 21-year-old Scot, brought to the club by his father in November 1997, has been linked to both Birmingham City and Premiership strugglers Charlton. But he says he is determined to proved to Ruud Gullit that he can shine in a black and white shirt.
Dalglish, who has been rated at around £1million on the market, said: ''I'm very happy at Newcastle United. I love it in the north-east, and it's absolutely magnificent playing at St James' Park.''The fans have been brilliant, and I'm determined to fight for my place. I'm only a young lad and I've got time on my side.
''I'm enjoying my football, and hopefully working with Tommy Craig will improve all aspects of my game.''I've never been happier than since I came to the north-east. It's a brilliant place, and I'm very settled.''Former Celtic junior Dalglish arrived at St James' on a free transfer from Liverpool and was immediately loaned out to Bury where he made two starts and was used 11 times as a substitute last season.
He enjoyed his first senior football at Newcastle during pre-season when he was particularly impressive in scoring twice in United's 6-0 friendly win over League of Ireland side Bray Wanderers.
But it was not until his legendary father Kenny parted company with the Magpies in August last year that Dalglish junior managed to force his way into the first-team squad.
He was handed his Premiership debut against Derby on October 17 and scored twice in eight starts before Duncan Ferguson's £8million move from Everton signalled a return to the reserve action.
Subsequent injuries to Alan Shearer and Ferguson have not seen him return, despite a feeling on the terraces that he showed enough promise during his run in the side to deserve another chance.
Gullit still feels the under-21 international has a lot to learn, and reserve team coach Craig is seen as the man to help his young charge take the next step.''Paul has to work on a whole lot of things,'' said Gullit. ''The most important thing for him is that he has to keep the ball.
''That for a striker is vital, to keep the ball, play it wide and get into position. If it doesn't bounce off your foot, then it's easier for midfield players to get forward in support.''

Fulham hot-shot to face Saints at last

FULHAM striker Paul Peschisolido cannot wait to introduce himself when he comes face-to-face with the Southampton defence in tonight's FA Cup replay at Craven Cottage.
Injury has ruled the Canadian striker out of Fulham's three cup clashes with the Saints so far this season but he is hoping to finally make his mark by helping to pull off another upset.
Kevin Keegan's side knocked Southampton out of the Worthington Cup in September and were seconds away from adding their FA Cup scalp 10 days ago when Egil Ostenstad set up a replay with a late equaliser at the Dell.
"In the three games we have had against them we were the better side for long periods," said Peschisolido. "The lads did brilliantly at the Dell to earn a replay and we really fancy our chances. Morale is fantastic at the moment.
"Southampton have come good in their last few games so I would still say they should be favourites but there is no pressure on us and we can just get on with our own game."
The only action Peschisolido has seen against Premiership opposition this season was against Liverpool at Anfield, when he scored a wonder goal in Fulham's 3-1 Worthington Cup defeat.
"It was great to score against Liverpool but disappointing to lose because we went down to a deflected goal and a penalty," he said.
Since then he has recovered from a groin injury to spearhead Fulham's climb to the top of Division Two with six goals in 13 games.
"As a striker you grow in confidence when you are scoring and at the moment my confidence is very high," he warned.
Fulham keeper Maik Taylor will once again line up against his old club and Saints old boy Alan Neilson keeps his place in defence.
Left back Rufus Brevett misses the game through suspension and is likely to be replaced by Matthew Brazier.

Song ready to join Anfield chorus

by Paul Walker
LIVERPOOL have discovered that Rigobert Song may be able to solve their FA Cup defensive crisis after all, as long as his work permit arrives in time.
It was believed that international calls with Cameroon would rule defender Song out of the fourth round clash at Old Trafford against Manchester United on January 24.
The 22-year-old, who has agreed the details of his £2.8million move from Italian side Salernitana, is now just waiting for the Department of Employment to issue the permit. He has to serve a two-match international ban and would not have been able to play for Cameroon in their African Nations Cup game the same weekend as the United clash, anyway.
The problem now is whether the permit is issued in time for Song to be registered for the Cup tie before Friday's deadline. The chances of that happening are remote because such permits tend to take a month to arrive, and the Song deal wasn't sorted out until after Christmas.
If the permit was rushed through, Liverpool could in theory have Song available at a time when Phil Babb is suspended and Steve Staunton is doubtful with a groin injury.
Song can't wait to get his Liverpool career under way, after completing a successful trial at Anfield last month.
He said: "If I was able to be picked for the Cup tie it would be great. I would be ready for it and I would love to play. When you move to another country you want to show the supporters what you can do.
"I don't think the Liverpool fans know me very well because they won't have had much chance to see Cameroon's matches or when I was in France with Metz. But I am a defender who has character. I really enjoyed the time I was at Liverpool for the trial."
Meanwhile, reserve goalkeeper Jorgen Nielsen has joined Wolves on a month's trial while Stefan Postma, the Utrecht keeper for whom Liverpool are considering a £700,000 move, has a run out for the reserves at Preston today.
Norwegian international Oyvind Leonhardsen is also considering his future at the club.
The World Cup midfielder hasn't figured in a Liverpool senior side for two months and his advisors believe a move is inevitable.
The player's agent Eric Soller said: "We might have to look outside England for Oyvind's next move."
The 29-year-old has two years left on his contract having signed for £3.5million from Wimbledon in 1997, but he has become increasingly unhappy with his failure to impress the club's new manager Gerard Houllier.
Leonhardsen admitted yesterday: "It's been a season of disappointment for me so far.
"I've not played a lot and I don't know the reason but I don't think it's due to a change of manager because I wasn't even playing before Roy Evans went.
"I have a contract for two more seasons so I don't want to say what might happen but I'm not happy with my situation, that's for sure," he added.

Wright's knee injury could
be worse than first thought

by Phil Casey
WEST HAM'S European ambitions suffered a major setback yesterday with the news that Ian Wright could need an operation on his injured knee.Wright will see a specialist in London while the rest of the squad travel to Swansea for their FA Cup third round replay tonight.
Manager Harry Redknapp fears the former Arsenal star may require an operation on his damaged cartilage which would rule him out for at least a month.
The Hammers striker picked up the injury in the early stages of the 1-1 draw with Third Division Swansea at Upton Park but played the full 90 minutes.
The 35-year-old England international, who missed Sunday's 4-1 defeat at Old Trafford, failed to make it through training on Tuesday and now looks set to be sidelined for weeks.
Redknapp said: ''He did it in the first game against Swansea and it's been sore ever since.
''We won't know till they have a look, no-one knows.''
Wright joins a lengthening injury list at Upton Park with Marc Keller, Paul Kitson and Javier Margas already ruled out of the replay at the Vetch Field.
Ian Pearce (calf) and Trevor Sinclair (thigh) also face late fitness tests but Julian Dicks is available for selection, even after his reported criticism of Redknapp in the press.
The veteran left-back was reported to be ready to quit West Ham if he was continually dropped and was said to have labelled Redknapp ''two-faced''.But Dicks claims he never made such remarks and has cleared the air with Redknapp and should be fit tonight.
''Julian came in to see me and he denies he said that,'' Redknapp added. ''He says he's been stitched up.
''I brought him back here when everybody had written him off. I brought him back against Northampton, he did well and I kept him in the team.''It didn't go quite as well at Blackburn and Charlton so I changed the team and left him out, which is my job, and he came back and did excellent. I've done nothing but praise him." Teenage star Joe Cole will also be in the squad to face Swansea and Redknapp feels he is now ready to become a more permanent member of the first team.''I think he's ready to take that step and be part of my first team squad,'' Redknapp added. ''The injury situation has probably pushed it on us a bit but it's not a problem for us.''
Cole is unlikely to get his first start however in such a tough fixture, Redknapp adding: ''It's a tricky game but if we go there and approach it right, which we've got to, then there's no reason we shouldn't go and get the win we need.''Sunday's loss to United was West Ham's fourth away defeat in the league in a row but Swansea boss John Hollins is taking nothing for granted.
''You could say West Ham are playing us at the right time after our last two setbacks,'' Hollins said, after his side's 4-0 defeat at Exeter at the weekend, their heaviest defeat of the season.
''They know all about us now and they'll be aware they didn't perform to potential first time.''We can't afford to believe that we've achieved the hardest task in bringing them back to Swansea because there could be a sting in their tail. Whatever line-up West Ham put out will be revved up and ready to battle.''

Staunton out against Saints

LIVERPOOL will be without experienced defender Steve Staunton for Saturday's home game with Southampton.
The Irish international has a groin strain that is also likely to keep him out of the FA Cup tie at Manchester United on January 24. Also out of that game is Phil Babb, whose fifth booking of the season at Arsenal on Saturday means he is suspended for the tie.
Meanwhile, Liverpool misfit Oyvind Leonhardsen fears he will have to quit English soccer to salvage his career.
The Norwegian midfielder has not figured in a Liverpool senior side for two months, and his advisor believes a move is inevitable.
The 29-year-old has two years left on his contract having signed for £3.5million from Wimbledon in 1997, but has become increasingly unhappy with his failure to impress new boss Gerard Houllier.
Leonhardsen said: "It's been a season of disappointment for me so far. I've not played a lot, I don't know the reason. I don't think it's due to a change of manager because I wasn't playing before Roy Evans went.
"I have a contract for two more seasons. I don't want to say what might happen but I'm not happy that's for sure."
The player's agent confirmed: "We might have to look outside England for Oyvind's next move."

Aston Villa money-men will
back efforts to sign Juninho

by John Curtis
ASTON VILLA manager John Gregory has received a massive boost with the news that the club's money-men are ready to bankroll his bid to sign Juninho — or any other major signings.
Gregory is stepping up his bid to sign the Brazilian star who was valued at around £15 million by his current club Atletico Madrid.
And Villa's financial director Mark Ansell, yesterday, confirmed that Villa will not flinch from splashing out what it takes to sign Juninho if he decides to return to England.
Gregory has already admitted that Villa will need to bring in three or four top class players for next season if they achieve their goal of qualifying for the Champions' League.
Ansell said: ''the board have already confirmed to John Gregory that should the players become available that he wants then he can bank on our support.
''It is down to the fantastic success of the last 12 months that makes it even more possible to support further purchasing of players.
''We are soon hoping to resolve our problems with the local council regarding redeveloping Villa Park. At the moment we are virtually selling out every game and there is a massive demand.
''It is important that same demand is there for years to come. We want to keep the current momentum going, but recognise that part of that must be to back John Gregory in the transfer market.''
Gregory has already spent £21 million in the last six months to bring in Alan Thompson, Paul Merson, Steve Watson and Dion Dublin, but has also sold Dwight Yorke to Manchester United for £12·6 million. But he recognises that Villa need to strengthen their squad even further to compete with the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.

Flanagan begs fans to keep the faith

by Conor George
MIKE FLANAGAN, the Waterford United manager, has appealed to the disgruntled fans that jeered his side off the pitch last Sunday following their exit from the FAI Cup to delay their final verdict on the team and the management until he is able to field his full-strength side.
"I expect the fans to be unhappy and perhaps angry with the way things have been going but what they must understand is that my hands have been tied for the past number of weeks with our horrific injury count," said the Waterford manager.
In an effort to stop Waterford slide back into the first division he expects to name five changes from the team that lost to Bohemians on Sunday last when the Blues entertain Bray Wanderers on Friday night.
In a desperate bid to avoid relegation from the Premier Division Flanagan has dipped into the coffers of the club and has signed Derek McGrath and Brian Flood, both of whom are expected to play on Friday night.
Flanagan will also welcome back injured trio Jason Kabia, Joe Keith and Karl Gannon for the match.
After an initial honeymoon period Flanagan has been thrust into the boiling pot of a relegation battle and with Waterford now out of the FAI Cup and the fans growing more frustrated by the match Waterford's season hinges on Flanagan keeping them in the top flight.
"The goals of the club have not changed since I first took over. The aim for the season is to stay in the Premier Division and we are by no means finished," he added defiantly.
Flanagan's cause has not been helped by the reaction of the Waterford fans following the 4-0 drubbing they experienced at the hands on Roddy Collins' side on Sunday afternoon when they vented their frustrations on Flanagan and his players with a chorus of jeers as they left the field.
"What I would ask the supporters to do is wait until I am able to put out the best side available at the club before they judge me.
"The first couple of matches went well for us because I had the players available but we are not a strong squad and there is no way that I can put out a side to compete when I have nine first team players missing because of injury.
"Any manager in the world would struggle under those conditions but we are working towards getting the problems sorted out and the addition of Flood and McGrath from Finn Harps and Bohemians respectively will strengthen us in midfield.
"What is important is that no-one at the club has their heads down. All we need to do is move up one place in the league standings and stay there. If we can get there and consolidate that position then we will be safe and I am confident that we can do that.
"When you look at it Bohemians also went through a bad patch but they are experiencing a revival at present and the foundation for that lies in the fact that they have had players come back from injury to strengthen their squad.
"That is what is hopefully going to happen with us and that starts on Friday night with the five changes to the side that I already talked about.
"I have been kicked in the teeth in recent weeks with the spate of injuries but we are far from finished as a Premier Division club.
"Waterford are going to fight to the very last whistle of the season to stay up and I am confident that we can achieve that. That has been the goal from day one and that ambition has not changed and is far from over," Flanagan added.

Cobh underestimate
Garda at their peril

by Noel Spillane
COBH RAMBLERS have the incentive of renewing battle with old rivals Sligo Rovers when they tackle Garda in this afternoon's Harp Lager-sponsored FAI Cup first-round replay at Westmanstown, Dublin.
The teams played an exciting 2-2 draw at St Colman's Park over the weekend. Cobh had that never-to-be-forgotten semi-final marathon with Sligo back in 1983 when it took four matches to split the teams as Sligo went on to win the FAI Cup that season. Now Ramblers get the chance to evoke all those happy memories with this young, emerging side, who also have their eyes fixed on promotion to the Premier Division at the end of the season.
But Cobh assistant manager Philip Long is not contemplating a trip to the Sligo Showgrounds just yet. "It's all very well talking about the possibilities of meeting Sligo Rovers again in the FAI Cup, but we have to overcome a tough hurdle in the first-round replay first," he said. Cobh's prospects of victory at Westmanstown have diminished slightly with suspensions to both Anthony Kenneally and Pat Maher, but the hope is that running repairs to midfield ace Keith Dalton will have him back in the team after he missed the drawn game because of a deadly combination of the 'flu and gastro-enteritis. Kenneally, who had an excellent match, hauled Cobh back into the tie with an equalising goal just before half-time the other night and his enforced absence leaves a void in the middle of the park.
It is hoped that young Dalton will come through a late fitness check and get to play against the mid-table Leinster Senior League side who are managed by Gus Keating, one of the longest-serving managers in the league.
Cobh still have one or two defensive problems to be ironed out, with ex-College Corinthians star Pat Maher ruled out by suspension as well. Long could get a late call-up, but the chances are that versatile left-back Willie Byrne will move across to fill in at centre-half with Dublin-based Tommy Cregoe stepping off the bench to play in the No 3 shirt. Another option is for Dave O'Connor to come in and play alongside Johnny Murphy.
The chances are that winger Paul Coughlan, who arrived late for Saturday night's drawn match, will start, but that could mean a return to the bench for Armyman Tommy Butler. Cobh were given a rude awakening at St Colman's Park in the drawn match and they know that they if they were to underestimate the Garda this afternoon they could well be out of the Cup. "We might have to juggle things around a bit today, and we could be stretched a bit, but the lads that come in will do a good job for us as well. I think we have too much quality for the Garda team, but we have to go out and prove the point and go for it," said Cobh boss John O'Rourke.
"Perhaps, we need to take a leaf out of their book today and meet them head-on in terms of passion and commitment," he added.
Garda's Gus Keating has managed to persuade full-back Austin Cooney to delay a skiing trip to Austria but there is still a serious doubt about the fitness of frontman Derek Mulhall who played with a hamstring injury in Cobh.
"Derek's determination and will-to-win is second to none in the team and last year he played on for the last ten minutes of a match not knowing that he had broken his leg," said Keating of his diminutive striker, whose brother Seán plays on the wing and had a spell cross-channel at Grimsby Town.
"There will not be much in it either this afternoon, but we have a very good record at home over the last four or five years and that may stand to us. I think the suspensions could hit Cobh today and we know that we shook them once already in this competition. This could be our day to perform that much-talked about giant-killing act in the Cup," he added.

Barcelona clinch De Boer signing

BARCELONA look to have finally clinched the signature of Holland's World Cup defender Frank De Boer after a long-running transfer wrangle with the player's Dutch club Ajax.
De Boer's manager Rob Cohen said a deal had been reached for the 28-yearold to link up with the growing band of Dutchmen at the Nou Camp for a fee of around £7million.
Cohen said: ''I presume that Frank will return as soon as possible (from South Africa where Ajax are playing a tournament) and leave for Spain.''
Former Ajax boss Louis Van Gaal already has compatriots Patrick Kluivert, Boudewijn Zenden, Philippe Cocu, Ruud Hesp, Winston Bogarde and Michael Reiziger on board at Barca.
The Catalan giants have not, however, moved for De Boer's twin brother, midfielder Ronald, who was also a target when Barcelona first moved for Frank. That should alert English clubs again - Arsenal were interested in signing Ronald, but the deal fell through due to his wage demands.
Meanwhile, Brazil's former World Cup captain Dunga has returned to Internacional, the club where he launched his career.
Dunga, 35, was greeted by a horde of fans as he arrived at the Beira-Rio stadium in Porto Alegre, southern Brazil, yesterday to sign for a club he left more than a decade ago.
The hard-tackling midfielder had been searching for a club in his own country after ending a five-year stint with Japan's Jubilo Iwata in December.
The triple Brazilian champions have not won a national tournament since their 1992 Copa Brasil title.
Dunga, full name Carlos Caetano Verri, captained Brazil at the last two World Cups and retired from international football after the 3-0 defeat by France in the 1998 final last July.
He won 91 caps, the first against England at Wembley in 1987, and scored six goals.
His style of play was intially criticised as being too crude for Brazil but by last year, his leadership on the field made him indispensable to the team.
• THE World Cup made a provisional profit before tax of 505 million French francs ($88.8 million), French organising committee president (CFO) Michel Platini said yesterday (Tues).
Revenue had been 2.9 billion French francs ($510 million), which Platini described as "very satisfying."
He felt the profits should go to the 10 host cities with some of the money used to build sport grounds in the suburbs.
But French federation chairman Claude Simonet argued the profits should be handed over to the federation and kept within football.
"All the benefits came from soccer matches and must be returned to soccer." he said.
Despite the controversy, Platini said the CFO had achieved their aim. "The stadiums were full for all the 64 games of the World Cup finals and that was what we have worked for," he said.
•MONACO coach Jean Tigana has resigned because of the 1997 French champions' poor results this season.
Tigana's duties have been taken on by technical manager Claude Puel, former goalkeeper Jean-Luc Ettori and deputy coachJean Petit.
Said Petit: "We have had to take emergency measures because nobody expected this. We needed to react swiftly."
Former French international Tigana, who joined Monaco as coach in July 1995, has had a frustrating season.
Monaco are seventh in the French first division, 19 points behind leaders Olympique Marseille and out of the race for a place in the lucrative European Champions' League next season.
They were beaten in the UEFA Cup by Olympique Marseille in December.
"This is the players' fault. We are responsible for what happened here (to Tigana)," goalkeeper Fabien Barthez said. Barthez is one of several players, including teenagers Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet, who have made it clear they wanted to leave the club over the past few months.