Published: Thursday, 8th October, 2009 9:00am

Athlone boss plays down McGee injury fears

ATHLONE Town manager Brendan Place has poured cold water on talk that top scorer Noel McGee could miss the remainder of the First Division season.

McGee - Athlone's leading marksman with 11 goals this season - missed last weekend's 3-0 defeat at neighbours Longford Town with a hamstring problem and rumours circulating around Athlone over the weekend suggested McGee would be absent for Athlone's remaining five league matches.

However, Place has played down such worries.

"Noel pulled up in training last Thursday evening with a hamstring tear but there's no doubt in our minds that he will return to action in possibly three weeks," said Place.

"The injury came at a very bad time because Noel was going through a very good period. His two goals in our previous game against Wexford Youths were crucial. Hopefully Noel will be available for selection in about three weeks," he added.

Indeed, of more concern could be an injury picked up by central defender and captain Des Hope during last Saturday's defeat at Flancare Park.

Hope, who over the years has been troubled by injuries, strained knee ligaments and is expected to miss at least a couple of league games.

"At the moment I don't think Des' injury is as straightforward as Noel's," said Place. "Des could be out for ten days or so - but it could be more," he added.

In Hope's absence, young defender Kevin Dunne could step back into the defence alongside emergency centre half Stephen Place.

Athlone played Salthill Devon in a challenge match on Monday evening and won 4-0.

Meanwhile, both David Tyrelll and John McGuinness this week became the latest in a long list of players to leave the club throughout the course of the season.

Athlone are next in action on Friday at Lissywoollen when Finn Harps are the visitors (kick-off: 7.45pm).