Shaun Maher will undergo a fitness test before Sporting Fingal visit to Shamrock Rovers on Satuday afternoon (3pm)


The central defender played the full game against St. Patrick’s Athletic last week but has continued to receive treatment on an ankle injury which caused him to miss games last month.


Colm James (knee) is a confirmed absentee while Eamon Zayed is unavailable due to international commitments with Libya.


Better news is the return of Kenny Browne and Shane McFaul who missed the 2-2 draw against the Saints due to suspension and injury respectively.


With four games remaining, Fingal manager Liam Buckley wants his side to keep in the hunt for a European spot.


He said: “We still have the game in hand over Pat’s and Sligo above us but it’s about getting points on the board now. All the teams in contention have difficult games left.


“Last week’s comeback to claim a point against Pat’s was heartening and we were unlucky not to finish the job off.


“Tallaght Stadium has brought the best out on my teams in the past and we’re looking forward to taking Shamrock Rovers on given the stakes for both teams.”


Conan Byrne, who has played in all of Fingal’s five matches against the Hoops over the past year, is relishing the tussle in front of the live television cameras.


“We’ve never lost against Rovers and we’ve not got the wins lately our form has deserved,” he said.


“The wide pitch at Tallaght suits our style of football and we’ve no fears facing the title favourites. We need the points just as much as them.”