STEPHEN BRADLEY hopes Jack Byrne could be back in action this week as Shamrock Rovers prepare for Friday’s trip to champions Shelbourne.
The Hoops’ game on Sunday with Cork City was rained off.
This week is a double-header, with Rovers travelling to Shels on Friday and to Sligo Rovers on Monday.
And Bradley hopes that the extra few days will refresh his players, who are still recovering from the exertions of three matches in eight days following the Conference League clashes with Molde.
But the Hoops chief revealed that Byrne, who missed the start of the season with a knee injury, and Rory Gaffney — on the comeback trail after ten months out with an ankle problem — are close to returning.
Bradley said: “We go Friday and Monday so it’s a heavy week.
“We have to be careful with that, coming off a heavy week. Some players will need more work than others.
“Our three midfielders covered 15km against Molde, which is a heavy load for any player.
“We have to be careful with them three. Jack and Rory need to be pushed and we’ll do that this week.”
Gaffney was set for a place on the bench for Sunday’s postponed fixture against City.
However, Danny Mandroiu, Adam Matthews, Darragh Nugent and Trevor Clarke remain sidelined.
Graham Burke — who was also set to be on the bench last weekend — is fit for the Shels match after limping off against Molde.
And Bradley believes that a clash with the champions is the perfect way to return to league action after the disappointment of the Conference League elimination.
He said: “It’s frustrating. We did enough over both legs. I watched it back and we did the review of the stats.
“We did enough to go through but we didn’t take our chances and we gave away a terrible goal.
“It’s frustrating but it was a sore one on Thursday. You are still thinking about the game on Friday and what could’ve been.
“But we just didn’t do enough over the two legs to go through.
“We know what to expect from Shels, what type of game it’s going to be. We have to be ready. It will be a tough one.”
