The New Saints travel to the Republic of Ireland for their UEFA Conference League clash with Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium on Thursday night.
Craig Harrison’s men hope to build on their 2-0 win against Astana at the end of October, but they face a side currently unbeaten in their European campaign. Shamrock Rovers drew with APOEL and thrashed NIFL Premiership champions Larne at Windsor Park.
Stephen Bradley’s side are just outside the top eight in the current league standings, trailing Rapid Wien by two points in 10th. As for TNS, their defeat against Fiorentina, along with their win against Astana has them in 19th, ahead of Greek giants Panathinaikos, and La Liga outfit Real Betis.
Shamrock Rovers have a slight edge over TNS in terms of fitness as they played on Friday night, but they will have to pick themselves up from losing out on the League of Ireland title. A win against Waterford wasn’t enough as Damien Duff’s Shelbourne defeated Derry City to lift the trophy.
TNS ran out 4-1 winners against Barry Town United at the weekend at Jenner Park. Declan McManus scored a brace after Ash Baker had opened the scoring before Sam Snaith had equalised. Leo Smith scored in the second half to give The New Saints the win, and they sit second in the Cymru Premier, four points behind Penybont with two games in hand.
The New Saints team news
Aramide Oteh is unavailable, as he wasn’t registered. He arrived following his release from Walsall after the deadline for clubs to submit their squad lists to UEFA.
Ryan Astles is another player that wasn’t included in their squad. Astles has been out of action since the middle of December 2023.
Josh Daniels wasn’t a part of the match-day squad against Barry. He did play against Aberystwyth Town in midweek, but it could be that Harrison is just trying to manage his squad appropriately.
Matthew Olosunde has only been involved in one match this season, and that was in early September.
Predicted XI: Roberts; Daniels, D. Davies, Bodenham, and Redmond; Smith, D. Williams, Holden, Wilson, McManus, and Brobbel.
Out: Matthew Olosunde, Ryan Astles, and Aramide Oteh.
Shamrock Rovers team news
Former Bristol Rovers and Salford City striker Rory Gaffney has been sidelined since May and remains unavailable.
Sean Hoare and Danny Mandroiu are doubtful. Hoare has been missing for the last three league fixtures, whilst Mandroiu who signed from Lincoln City in the summer, didn’t feature against Waterford after coming off against Dundalk.
Winger Neil Farrugia is once again available for selection as he returns having been suspended for the victory against Larne.
Predicted XI: (3-4-3): Leon Pohls; Dan Cleary, Pico Lopes, Lee Grace; Neil Farrugia, Dylan Watts, Gary O’Neill, Darragh Burns; Jack Byrne, Johnny Kenny, Graham Burke.
Out: Rory Gaffney. Doubts: Sean Hoare and Danny Mandroiu.
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