Dublin football manager Jim Gavin has ruled out an immediate return to play for veteran centre back Ger Brennan.

The St Vincent’s man required ankle surgery following his club’s successful All-Ireland campaign in March, and this followed an operation on a stomach issue in December.

That brings his time away from the game up to nine weeks but involvement in an All-Ireland quarter-final on July 27th remains a possibility.

"The injury concern we have is Ger," said Gavin at this morning's media briefing ahead of Sunday week's Leinster final against Meath. "He won't make it back in time for the next game. He's on a break at the moment. He's in the squad.

“He had the operation on it a few weeks ago. It’s been troublesome for him since the club championships. It’s been a bit stop/start for Ger. But he’s a determined young man and if we can get over the next game, hopefully he’ll see some time in the jersey.”

Nicky Devereux has worn the number six jersey in Brennan's enforced absence, kicking a point in the destruction of Wexford on June 29th before being replaced by Mick Fitzsimons.

“But I suppose the squad’s strength is that players can play in lots of different positions and we have a lot of cover in the centre half-back position,” Gavin continued.

“Notwithstanding Ger, a man of his experience, is a loss to the side. He’s working very hard with the medical team to get back. It’s stop/start. But it is moving forward for him. So that’s good news.”

There will almost certainly be at least one change to the Dublin attack as Bernard Brogan has resumed full training following the hamstring injury sustained against Laois on June 8th.

Also, Cormac Costello is pushing hard for conclusion following his 1-5 against Wexford after replacing Dean Rock at half-time.