A SPATE of injuries in Dublin circles is mainly of concern to the Leinster coach John McInerney as he prepares his team for the Interprovincial Championship at Blaris the weekend after next. But tomorrow, Avoca and Pembroke Wanderers will need to stretch their resources to the full to cover ties in both the Mills Cup and the Irish Junior Cup.

The latest casualty is Anton Scott, the creative Avoca forward who made his international debut against Pakistan five years ago. Having taken some time out of hockey, Scott has only returned to the reckoning on the representative front this season but he tore a calf muscle in a practice game earlier this week just after McInerney had brought him back into his squad for the Lisburn assignment.

Better news for Avoca (and Munster) is that Robbie Ryan's shoulder is bruised but not broken and needs just rest. At least Avoca have a deep enough pool of reserves for the Cable & Wireless sponsored Leinster Cup game against YMCA. Ian Cox, Daragh Gallanagh, David Hanna and Stephen Kinsella (also deputising for Peter Darley at inteiprovincial level) are among those set for involvement at Ballinteer but they will then be motoring to Loughlinstown to play for the second XI against Armagh.

Ironically, YMCA, after struggling to hold their own at the start of the season, are now at full strength and the problem for coach Richard Mason is who to leave out of a side which is now capable of causing an upset and which may even have ambitions of reaching the Mills final for the third year in succession.

Pembroke do not have too demanding an afternoon against Aer Lingus but the captain Devin Donnelly is having rib trouble and would be wise to opt out of this game so as to be fit for the interprovincials. It might also be better for Paudie Carley to keep himself in reserve. Yet the Pembroke second XI will not want to leave too many at home as they start the defence of the Junior Cup in Newry.

Glenanne, aiming to retain the Mills trophy, face a challenge that must be respected from Corinthians at Tallaght, while Railway Union - in view of their recent league form spurred by Paul O'Brien - have come into consideration. Monkstown will give them a true testing at Park Avenue.

A tie of special interest in the Junior Cup is the meeting of Banbridge and Cork C of III, who may have their sights set on a double for the Garryduff club.