SHELBOURNE striker Pat Morley remains highly doubtful for this evening's FAI Cup semi final at the Regional Sports Centre against Waterford despite having intensive treatment all week on a knee injury he sustained in last weekend's draw with Saint Patrick's Athletic.
The Corkman opted to stay at home last night and continue the treatment rather than join up with his team mates in Kilkenny and will now undergo a fitness test this afternoon after which manager Damien Richardson will make his team selection.
"I'm still hoping that he will be all right to play, but if he doesn't make then I have a few options," said Richardson. "We might push Dessie Baker up front while, with Pascal Vaudequin back, we could revert to my preferred five man midfield."
Either way, however, the loss of Morley, who has scored 15 league and two FAI Cup goals for the Dublin dub this season, would be a tremendous blow to Richardson's hopes of guiding Shelbourne to their fourth final in five seasons.
His absence, however, would come as a considerable boost to the home side who, with the exception of long term injury problem Jonathan Bowman, have no worries themselves. Manager Tommy Lynch is particularly happy that Trond Debes, who had been out for almost a month, is fit for action again and having successfully come through a brief run out in the league match against Athlone last week, he is firmly back in contention for a start this evening.
Less well fixed for such a vitally important match is Bohemians manager Turlough O'Connor who, in addition to Robbie Best, Maurice O'Driscoll and Tony O'Connor, may still have to cope with the absence of striker Derek Swan.
However, O'Connor is likely to take a chance on throwing Swan back into the team at the start if his neck problem gives any indication of being under control, while Tony O'Connor, who has not played in three months, returned to training this week and may make it to the bench.
There is mixed news from the Derry camp with Peter Hutton almost certain to start despite encountering problems after his return to action against UCD but Tom Mohan will probably miss the game due to a stomach problem.
If the midfielder does miss out then Felix Healy, whose side will be aiming to take another major step towards the league and cup double this evening, is likely to look to his youngsters with either Ryan Coyle or Ryan Semple being called up to the starting line up.
