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Ian Baraclough. INPHO/Donall Farmer
LOIlive

Preview: Seagulls travel to the Showgrounds

Pat Devlin’s side have it all to do if they are to avoid defeat against the Premier Division leaders this afternoon.

TABLE TOPPERS SLIGO Rovers host Bray Wanderers in the afternoon kick-off at The Showgrounds today.

The Bit O’Red hold a four-point lead on second-placed St Patrick’s Athletic with reigning champions Shamrock Rovers (who the Saints play tomorrow) a further four back and will be keen to extend the gap with a win over the Seagulls.

Sligo, who announced three new signings in the past week, could be without the services of defender Jason McGuinnes as he looks to shake off a hamstring injury. Ryan Connelly, who arrives from Derby County, is available for selection but neither Seamus Conneely nor Jeff Henderson have received international clearance yet.

We have plenty of options with such good numbers available this week,” manager Ian Baraclough told SligoRovers.com this week. “The new lads that have come in have trained with us and we’ll make a decision on them, pending clearance.

“It is good to be playing before St Pat’s and Shams and hopefully we can achieve a positive result that will put pressure on them. Bray are capable of springing a surprise against anyone. Pat Devlin will probably be disappointed they haven’t done it more this season because I’ve learned he gets the best out of what is a talented group of young players.”

Bray, meanwhile, were comprehensively beaten at home to Cork City last weekend and have rated Dave Webster a doubt while Sean Houson is serving a one-match ban.

Pat Devlin has also been busy in the transfer market and former MLS player Brendan King has come on-board alongside Kevin O’Connor (brother of Danny) and 18-year-old defender Pat Seery (from Bohemians).

“Sligo are one of the best teams in the League and it will be difficult on Saturday, but we have been in this position before and we need to bounce back and what better team to do it against,” Devlin said on BrayWanderers.ie.

The game kicks off at 3.45pm and is live on RTE 2.

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