Finn Harps play the waiting game on Darragh Coyle injury

Finn Harps manager Darren Murphy says he 'fears the worst and hopes for the best' for teenager Darragh Coyle.

The Burt native was stretchered off in the early moments of a friendly game against Ballinamallard on Tuesday at Finn Park.

Coyle suffered a knee injury and the signs were worrying as the 17-year-old was carted away.

Coyle has played nine games so far this season having signed his first senior contract last November and will be absent on Saturday when Harps face Cork City in the FAI Cup (Turner's Cross, 5pm).

Harps manager Darren Murphy admitted his concern about the injury.

“It's like all of those knee injuries where it'll be a couple of days before we can get it properly assessed, Murphy told Donegal Live.

“It's the waiting game now. You fear the worst and hope for the best.

“It's disappointing because Darragh has been brilliant for us. He has forced his way in to play minutes in big games. He came on in Cork and I had no fear of playing him.”

Luke O'Brien, who has missed the last three games due to a pre-planned break, will be available again. O'Brien played in Tuesday's 2-2 friendly draw with Ballinamallard.

“I knew we would get a competitive game from Ballinamallard,” Murphy said. “It was very good for us.”

Success Edogun has returned from a visit to Nigeria for a family matter and will be in contention.

Kevin Jordan could train again this week but will be 'touch and go' for Cork and Stephen Doherty is not expected to be available, while Sean Patton is on trial at EFL Championship side Portsmouth this week and may stay at Pompey for the weekend.

Saturday's FAI Cup tie is Harps' second trip to Leeside in a row. On Friday night. Cathal O'Sullivan netted a cracker on 63 minutes to separate the sides in a First Division clash.

Murphy said: “Tim Clancy (Cork City manager) has said that in the three games we've played that we have been hugely competitive and very unlucky.

“We created chances in Cork on Friday night. It wasn't even a battling 1-0, we were in the game.

“We had chances, even at 1-0 down we responded. It was pleasing and the players have to take belief out of that. We'll have to try to do what no-one has done this year in Cork – beat Cork.”