Speculation is mounting that Dessie Dolan won't be returning to the Westmeath football fold.

Pat Flanagan's charges play neighbours Meath in a SF challenge in Boardsmill later today and it's thought that if Dolan doesn't play some part in that game, he will not be involved with the Lake County in the upcoming championship. The local derby clash will be Westmeath's final outing before they face Louth in the first round of the Leinster SFC on Sunday week.

Reports last week suggested that the 2004 All Star forward - who many regard as Westmeath's greatest ever footballer - was set to return to the county squad after a long All-Ireland club campaign with Garrycastle. But he didn't appear at training on either Tuesday or Thursday night, leading many to believe that he has played his last game at inter-county level.

Dolan's Garrycastle team-mates John Gaffey, Doran Harte, James Dolan and Mark McCallon have re-joined the Westmeath squad and will all be in contention for starting places against the Wee County. Tweet

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