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A depleted Waterford FC squad will put their unbeaten run of 11 league games on the line this Friday night when the Blues face Longford Town in a vital SSE Airtricity League First Division game with a 7.45pm kick-off.

The Blues currently sit on top of the league table but face into their stiffest test in recent weeks as they look set to miss a host of key players for the visit of an Alan Matthews side that will be hoping to pick up their fourth win of the season.

After having to work hard for all three points in last Friday night’s South-East Derby clash at Ferrycarrig Park against Wexford FC, the Blues will be looking for their supporters to really get behind them for this massive fixture.

Unbeaten since losing to Athlone Town on the opening night of the season, the Blues squad have suffered a torrid time through with striker Mark O’Sullivan and David Mulcahy the latest players set to be ruled out of a crunch game.

The Blues fans have definitely been the 12th man in recent weeks especially at home and  the club have put a real focus on getting the local community behind the team ahead of a crucial period before the mid-season break.

Speaking ahead of Friday’s game, Waterford FC’s Shane O’Connor said, “It’s a massive game for us against Longford and it’s one that we’re hoping that we could put the disappointment of the scoreless draw up there behind us.

“It will be good to play at home again because we’ve been very commanding and have controlled the game but more importantly we’ve got massive support behind us. We need it more than ever considering how many injuries we have in the squad.

“The fans have been magical both home and away this season. They were unreal in Ferrycarrig Park on Friday last but we need them to really get behind us on Friday night because it’s such a big game in our season.

“I have to say that it’s all that people are talking about and that’s testament to the effort that so many people are putting into getting people behind us.  We have so many people supporting us but there is always room for more fans and it’s giving us a massive lift.

“Without the noise that they make and without the support that they give us, I’m not sure how well we’d be doing because they have gotten us over the line in the last couple of games and we need them to be right behind us again against Longford.

“We have so many injuries and it’s taken its toll on us all because we’re all having to work so hard for this club to get where we want to be.  It’s a massive game for us and we’re hoping that we can pick up a big three points in our season.”

Team News: With Kenny Browne, Sander Puri, Ian McLoughlin and Dean O’Halloran all still ruled out through injury, Blues striker Mark O’Sullivan is a major doubt for this game with an ankle injury he picked up against Wexford FC on Friday last. Club captain David Mulcahy is also a big doubt through injury, while Gary Delaney is rated as 50/50 after missing the last couple of games. Garry Comerford is also ruled out as he is suspended after picking up five yellow cards while Jack Lynch, Dean Walsh, John Martin and Owen Wall will be once again fighting for a start in this crucial fixture.

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