By Ryan Ferry

DONEGAL manager Declan Bonner has confirmed that Ciaran Thompson will definitely miss the league match with Kildare this Sunday, while Caolan Ward is in a battle to be fit.

Thompson picked up an injury early against Mayo and had to be replaced, and he hasn’t recovered in time to face the Lilywhites.

Caolan Ward also hobbled off against Mayo, and he didn’t feature in LYIT’s Sigerson Cup defeat against NUI Galway on Tuesday.

Peadar Mogan, Jason McGee, and Conor O’Donnell did play in what was a tough encounter and Bonner hopes they will be able to recover in time.

“We do have a few concerns,” Bonner told the Donegal News.

“Ciaran Thompson picked up an injury against Mayo and he won’t play this week.

“Caolan Ward missed LYIT’s game on Tuesday and he will be touch and go for the weekend. He will be assessed by the medical team and we will see how he comes through.

“Caolan has had a busy few months with his club and with LYIT as well as ourselves. We will give him enough time to see if he’s ok but we won’t take risks.”

Jamie Brennan was named in the Donegal starting fifteen last week but didn’t tog out on Sunday.

The Bundoran clubman struggled with injury last season and didn’t play at all in the club championship.

He picked up a knee injury against Derry in the McKenna Cup semi-final and hasn’t been involved since. Bonner wants the pacey corner-forward to get back to full fitness.

“Jamie is trying to make a return and we are continuously assessing his progress. There are still a few days to go before the game.

“He is improving and we are hopeful but the medical team will assess him and then the management will see if he has the right sharpness and so on if they give the green light.

“Jamie has missed a lot of football and we want to get him back fully fit and on the field for a sustained period of time.”

Donegal were disappointed not to pick up a victory in their first league game after allowing a five-point lead to slip.

Kildare also drew their opener against Kerry, but they were the side that fought back on that occasion so their spirits should be high.

Glen Ryan is the new manager of Kildare and they will fancy their chances of getting a result in MacCumhaill Park this Sunday.

Bonner said: “Kildare got a good draw against Kerry last week and they could have went on to win that match.

“They have a new management team in and that appears to have reinvigorated them.”