Shelbourne head coach John Russell has outlined his squad's fitness situation ahead of an important Dublin derby this Friday. The update comes after a frustrating 1-1 draw with Galway United last week.
Russell's side currently sit 5th in the League of Ireland Premier Division with 35 points from 27 games. Their recent form shows no wins in the last five matches, a sequence of two draws and three losses they are desperate to end. The upcoming clash at Tallaght Stadium, kicking off at 8pm and broadcast live on Virgin Media, offers that chance.
Roddy Freitas is available again after serving a suspension. His return bolsters Russell's options in midfield or defence. The club has also been active in the transfer market, re-signing three players and adding one new face. Austrian defender Marco Untergrabner is the fresh addition, though he is not expected to be ready for Friday's game. Russell indicated Untergrabner should be available for selection by the end of the month.
Injury news is mixed. John Martin is recovering from a calf issue and could potentially return to training next week. Defender Sam Bone is also on the mend after picking up a knock in the Galway game; his timeline aligns with Untergrabner's, targeting a return around the month's end. The overall squad picture reflects the club's stated philosophy of stability and continuity, focusing on retaining key personnel.
The manager expressed clear frustration with the late concession that cost two points. "We were obviously frustrated that we conceded so late," Russell said. "We were 90 seconds or so from getting a big 3 points on the road and I thought the performance was very good." He stressed the importance of not dwelling solely on the negative. "You can’t lose sight of the positives from the Galway game."
That result, a 1-1 draw on August 28, leaves Shelbourne with a league record of 8 wins, 11 draws, and 8 losses. They have scored 37 goals and conceded 39, giving them a -2 goal difference.
Focus is firmly on the immediate challenge, but the schedule continues quickly. After the derby, Shelbourne's next fixture is at home to Derry City on September 11. Derry currently occupy 6th place, just behind Shelbourne, making it another significant match in the battle for top-half positioning. Fans can track the full schedule on our fixtures list.
The team's form will need to improve to close the 20-point gap to league leaders Shamrock Rovers. Building from a solid defensive base will be key, and having a full complement of players is a major step. Supporters can check the latest availability and squad details on our dedicated squad page. Shelbourne host Derry City at Tolka Park on Friday, September 11.
