Former Derry star Chrissy McKaigue says his Slaughtneil clubmate Brendan Rogers missing Sunday’s Ulster SFC preliminary round clash against Donegal would be a huge blow to the Oak Leafers.

Manager Paddy Tally has named Rogers at full-back for the showdown in Ballybofey this weekend, however his fitness is in doubt having missed Derry’s last two Allianz League outings with injury.

Speaking to BBC Sport NI ahead of the provincial opener between the two neighbouring counties, McKaigue says that Rogers will be needed if the visitors are to pull off an upset at MacCumhaill Park in two days’ time.

"It (Rogers being ruled out) would be massive and possibly a game definer," he stated.

"If Donegal play Michael Murphy from the start which you would imagine on the edge of the square, Brendan is either going to be needed there or he's going to be needed to play against a lot of potential Donegal midfield pairings, Ciaran Thompson, Michael Langan, Hugh McFadden and the list goes on.

"Donegal are very strong aerially and Brendan will be needed at some end of the pitch."

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