DERRY City have been dealt a massive blow with the news that midfielder Cameron Dummigan looks set to miss the remainder of the season.
The Lurgan native injured his hamstring in last week’s win at Waterford and manager Ruaidhrí Higgins confirmed that he’s likely to miss the run-in.
“We’ve had a major setback this week. It looks like Cameron Dummigan’s season is potentially over,” he insisted.
“He picked up a nasty hamstring injury last Friday night against Waterford and it’s really, really disappointing news. But it’s part of football and it’ll give someone else an opportunity to step up.
“We only got Cameron’s scan results late on Tuesday night so I haven’t actually spoken to him yet, but, aye, it’s a blow to him, a blow to us. We have genuine quality in that area, albeit different types of players, but I’m sure we’ll be okay,”
One man who in recent weeks has really produced the goods has been ex-Finn Harps man Ciaran Coll. The 33-year-old has slotted into a centre-back position like a duck to water and played a big role in the Brandywell men keeping two clean-sheets in their last couple of matches. Higgins can’t praise him enough,
“He’s been outstanding,” he added. “He can play in all different roles. He’s played right-back for us, left-back, left centre-back, left of a back three, right of a back three - he’s been really, really good but as I said, every game is different.
“You come up against different types of threats and we need to pick our teams accordingly. We’ll see what this weekend brings.”
The Limavady man also confirmed that despite’s Dummigan’s injury he doesn’t believe his squad will be welcoming any new additions before Saturday’s transfer deadline.
“Basically what you’ve seen. The window for out-of-contract pros closes on Saturday, so I doubt very much that they’ll be anything between now and then,” he confirmed.
“We more than likely won’t do anything between now and Saturday, unless something pops up and makes us stronger.
“The balance of the squad is important and the profile of the players too, so unless something jumps up that I feel will make us better between now and Saturday, then we will do nothing.”
Higgins also reminded everyone that there are more important things than football during yesterday’s press conference ahead of Friday’s game away to Galway as he paid tribute to Kían Dawson-Kirk and Eoghán Dawson, who both tragically died following a car accident at the weekend.
“Just to finish it off on a sadder note; I said there are more important things in life than football and I just want to pass my sympathies and condolences to both Eoghán’s and Kían’s families after what’s been a horrendous week.
“On behalf of everyone connected to Derry City Football Club, we are thinking about you all the time and we hope we can pick up three points for you on Friday night.”
