GAA: Kildare and Down look likely to be without key midfield men when the two sides meet in the All-Ireland SFC semi-final on Sunday.
Both Lilywhites veteran Dermot Earley and Down stalwart Ambrose Rogers are nursing knee injuries and losing the race against time to feature in the Croke Park clash.
Earley sustained his injury in the quarter-final win over Meath almost four weeks ago.
He began light jogging last weekend and a decision on his fitness will not be made until Sunday morning, but Hughie Lynch is the frontrunner to start against Down after an impressive cameo against the Leinster champions.
Ronan Sweeney, however, remains an experienced alternative available to manager Kieran McGeeney.
Rogers’ injury is not as bad as first feared but he still strained cruciate knee ligament in a recent club game and is very doubtful.
Kildare will release a team on Thursday, while Down manager James McCartan is waiting until Friday night to reveal his hand.