Sligo Rovers have sights set on bridging 20-year gap with European victory

Though naturally wishing they had got one themselves in Lithuania last week, the prospect of FK Banga snatching an away goal at the Showgrounds tonight isn't something Sligo Rovers are prepared to dwell on.

With the tie seemingly poised in Sligo’s favour at 0-0 from the first leg in Gargždai, John Coleman’s side will be hoping to bridge a 20-year gap since the club last won a tie in Europe - indeed, their only time to have done so.

“It is well-balanced,” said Coleman. “I’m disappointed that we didn’t get the away goal. (But) We can’t get obsessed with them getting an away goal.

“If we win the game we go through, it’s as simple as that and that’s what our objective is going to be. I know we’re good enough, but it doesn’t always grant you the passage to where you want to be.

“We’re not going to take anything for granted. You just don’t turn up on the pitch and expect it to happen. It’s going to take a lot of hard work, possibly a little bit of luck and a bit of quality as well. I think we have enough of that.

“I’m really looking forward to it. Even just being around the town, you can feel the buzz. Hopefully, it’ll be a special night in Rovers’ history.”

Groin and calf injuries respectively keep midfielders Danny Ledwith and Joseph Ndo out of the game while defender Jeff Henderson is a major doubt with a foot injury.

Banga have added new signings, Russian midfielder Valeri Makiev and Ukrainian striker Artur Siryk, to their travelling squad of just 16 players. Rosenborg of Norway, 4-0 up from their first leg tie with Latvians FK Jelgava, are the likely opponents in the second qualifying round.

Dundalk right-back Sean Gannon knows complacency is perhaps Dundalk's main concern as they take a 2-0 lead into their second leg against Luxembourgers Jeunesse Esch at Oriel Park.

“We can’t let it drop now,” said Gannon. “We know that there is still work to do and we’ll be looking to get the job done.

“That’s the beauty of two-legged ties, and we know we have to refocus ourselves for the return leg, but we’ll be ready for it.”

Midfielder Keith Ward may come back into contention following a back injury while defender Mark Rossiter is a doubt with a knee injury. Croatian side Hajduk Split await the winners.

Barring a remarkable reversal following their first leg victory over Aberystwyth Town, Derry City will face a trip to Belarus to play Shakhtyor Soligorsk in the second round.

Amid a two-match domestic suspension, Captain Clifford Byrne is available for Peter Hutton’s side who defend a 4-0 lead in Wales. Shane McEleney is likely to partner Byrne in central defence as Ryan McBride is a concern having twisted an ankle in Athlone last Sunday.

Full-back Dean Jarvis (foot) and striker Rory Patterson (dead leg) require fitness test, though a hip flexor problem means midfielder Mark Timlin, scorer of a fine third goal in last week’s first leg at the Brandywell, won’t feature.

Tonight fixtures (7.45 under stated) Uefa Europa League (First Qualifying Round, second legs)

Aberystwyth Town (0) v Derry City (4) (6.45)

Dundalk (2) v Jeunesse Esch (0)

Sligo Rovers v (0) v FK Banga (0) (7.0)