Byrne still a doubt with lingering knee injury

Jack Byrne playing again this season remains in doubt as Shamrock Rovers hone in on a record equalling four-in-a-row League of Ireland titles.

The Ireland international midfielder has been sidelined with a niggling knee injury since mid-July which has been frustratingly slow to fully heal.

Byrne was due to have a more intense workout yesterday with the reaction to that determining the remainder of his season.

“That's always been spoken about, but always been a last resort,” said Rovers manager Stephen Bradley yesterday in terms of the possibility of surgery. “We obviously tried other things. Jack was comfortable with that in terms of trying other avenues.

“He's actually been running really well and doing a lot of cardio. It's just been in certain movements and certain passes (when he feels it).” 

Bradley does have defenders Lee Grace and Sean Kavanagh, along with striker Johnny Kenny, who all missed last week’s frustrating 0-0 draw at bottom side UCD, back fit for tonight’s visit of Shelbourne to Tallaght Stadium.

With Derry City and St Patrick’s Athletic failing to capitalise on Rovers’ surprisingly dropping points at the UCD Bowl, the champions actually extended their lead at the top to five points with five games to play.

Having played out three tight draws with them this season already, Bradley is wary of the challenge Damien Duff’s Shelbourne bring. And not just this season.

“By all accounts they are getting a big investment. I know they have it, but next year they are getting big investment,” said Bradley, who awaits confirmation of his own budget for next season.

“I think they are talking about being the biggest in the country in terms of budget. That shows you how seriously they will be taking it next year.

“They