Tyrone’s Rory Brennan in action against Dara McVeety, left, and Killian Clarke in the Allianz Football League Division 2 Final against Cavan at Croke Park

RORY Brennan is unlikely to play any part in Tyrone’s Ulster Championship quarter-final against Derry on Sunday due to a hamstring injury.

A spokesman for the county confirmed that the Trillick defender will be a likely absentee from the Tyrone line-up, which is set to be named this evening.

One of the stars of Tyrone’s All-Ireland U21 winning panel last year, Brennan was propelled into action for the senior’s Ulster Championship opener against Donegal last June and has drawn praise for his dynamic displays in the half-back line this season.

While his probable absence comes as a blow for Mickey Harte’s men, Tiernan McCann and Justin McMahon are on course to recover from injury in time for Sunday – but Omagh duo Conor Clarke and Conor Meyler remain major fitness doubts ahead of their long-awaited match-up with Derry at Celtic Park.

Meanwhile, Tyrone veteran Joe McMahon is also in line for a surprise return from long-term injury after coming through an in-house game unscathed last week.