Derry manager Damian McErlain is hoping his players come through the next couple of weeks injury free as they look towards the opening NFL Division 3 clash against Westmeath.

The Derry manager is facing the possibility that his side could play three games in the next week as if they beat Armagh in the McKenna Cup on Sunday, they are into the semi-final which will be played next Wednesday; a win there will see them into Sunday week's final against Fermanagh or Tyrone.

McErlain is already planning for the start of the league without the Slaughtneil contingent, while there are other players missing for various reasons and so he admitted to the Derry Journal that they cannot afford to lose anyone else ahead of the Westmeath game.

"The first league game is massive, Westmeath are a strong side, as are a number of the sides in Division three. We need everybody out. You are certain to be without the Slaughtneil men, you can't afford to carry two or three more injuries," said McErlain.

He added: "It's day to day at the minute because its a couple of days to the next match, there is no real recovery. We need to have our house in order by the time the lads arrive in Owenbeg for the recovery session. How are we going to approach Sunday? I don't know."

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