CORK ARE SHORT OF NUMBERS.

Byline: MICHAEL SCULLY

Sligo Rovers v Cork City, 5.30

CORK City face a defensive crisis ahead of tonight's Setanta Sports group clash with Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds.

Skipper Dan Murray is out with a calf injury, along with Neal Horgan (knee) and Kevin Long (calf), while Cillian Lordan is a doubt due to a chest infection that caused him to miss training this week.

City could also be without midfield talisman Joe Gamble, who has a knee problem, and boss Paul Doolin admits his charges will face a difficult time in Sligo with the number of withdrawals in the ranks.

"We are struggling with injuries," said Doolin.

"Neither Dan or Kevin have trained since the Dundalk game, while Neal Horgan is continuing with rehab on his knee and should be back next week.

"The League is our main concern at the moment, so much as we would like to claim three points in the fixture, our main focus has to be on the League."

Cork lost in the Premier Division to Dundalk last week, to a late goal.

Sligo, meanwhile, are buoyed by their midweek FAI Ford Cup quarter-final victory over Bohemians at the Showgrounds and manager Paul Cook has a full squad to choose from, with Gavin Peers and Ger Raffter proving their fitness.

CAPTION(S):

OUT Cork skipper Dan Murray has a calf injury