Dolan names team for crunch league clash in Sligo

Dessie Dolan has named his team for tomorrow afternoon's crunch Allianz Football League clash against Sligo at Markievicz Park.

Robbie Forde has been rewarded for his impressive display off the bench against Down with a starting place in the Westmeath team for the trip to Sligo.

Moate All Whites attacker Forde scored four points against Down and was chosen for the man of the match accolade as part of TG4's coverage of last Sunday's drawn game.

Forde, who works as a Games Promotion Officer with Athlone GAA, was introduced as a substitute early on against Down, after young forward Danny McCartan sustained an injury. The inclusion of Forde is the only change in personnel from the Down match.

Defenders Ronan Wallace and Jack Smith - who have been out of action through injury - are not listed on the match-day panel, but Jamie Gonoud is among the subs.

John Heslin is still not listed on the panel which means Westmeath look set to complete their programme of seven league games without the player who has been their scorer in chief for several years.

After five wins and a draw in the first six rounds, Westmeath go into their last Division 3 match with their fate in their own hands.

A draw against Sligo (throw-in 2pm) will be sufficient for Westmeath to clinch promotion. However, a defeat to Sligo combined with a Clare win over Down in Newry would see the Lake County men miss out.

Westmeath team (vs Sligo): Jason Daly; Daniel Scahill, Kevin Maguire, James Dolan; Sam McCartan, David Lynch, Nigel Harte; Ray Connellan, Andy McCormack; Jonathan Lynam, Ronan O'Toole, Conor Dillon; Luke Loughlin, Kieran Martin, Robbie Forde. Subs: Trevor Martin, Matthew Whittaker, Senan Baker, Stephen Smith, Shane Allen, Conor McCormack, Eoin Mulvihill, Lorcan Dolan, Jamie Gonoud, Charlie Drumm, David Giles.