General
- Wednesday September 25th, 2013 @ 14:21
Bray-Saints Team News
The Saints make the short trip to the Carlisle Grounds for Thursday's Airtricity League clash with Pat Devlin's Bray Wanderers side with both sides in need of the points for their respective league objectives, kick-off 8pm (Live on Setanta Ireland).
Liam Buckley's side have the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the table to six points, while the Seagulls will be looking to claim the points in order to open a four point gap between themselves and Shelbourne at the bottom of the table.
While the Saints have an impressive record over Pat Devlin's side to date this season with three wins from three, two in the league and one in the FAI Cup, Saints' midfielder Greg Bolger believes that the previous results are irrelevant come kick-off on Thursday.
“Bray will be no pushovers on Thursday night. They're fighting for their lives at the moment, the tv cameras will be there on the night too, so they'll be going for the win,” Bolger said when speaking to stpatsfc.com.
“We've had some really tough games out there this season, and the last day I thought we played poor enough and Bray were unlucky not to get something out of the game.”
Meanwhile having missed last Friday's clash with second placed Dundalk through suspension, Bolger praised his teammates for their performance, adding, “It's great to be back this week having watched the lads in the stands last week. They all played really well and now we're all pushing to play for the remaining games this year.”
In team news, the Saints have mixed news on the suspension front. While Bolger returns from a one match ban, Kenny Browne misses out having picked up his eighth yellow card of the season in the Dundalk game.
On the injury front, Shane McFaul could be back in Liam Buckley's squad having returned to training from a recent ankle injury, while Stephen Maher is out for the remainder of the season with a broken leg.
Speaking about the test he expects to face from Bray Wanderers, Saints' manager Buckley also paid tribute to the Saints' supporters for their great support in last week's game against Dundalk.
“The Bray game has come around that little bit quicker with it being live on Setanta, but it's a game we're really looking forward to. Bray are always a tough challenge on their patch in the Carlisle Grounds, but we're hopeful that if we can play our game, we've a chance,” Buckley told stpatsfc.com.
“The great thing about playing in Bray is that I find that our support is always terrific. Last week they were great in getting behind the lads from the first whistle to the last, and I know that they'll be there again in Bray cheering on the team.”
