DAMIEN RICHARDSON, destained on out of town business yesterday, will return this morning facing injury problems before Shelbourne's FAI Cup first round replay against Shamrock Rovers at Tolka Park this evening.

His first concern will be the fitness of Henry McKop, his Zimbabwaen international defender, who is in a race against time to be fit after damaging an ankle in Sunday's scoreless draw between the clubs at the RDS.

Even more urgent is Stephen Geoghegan's attempt to shake off a similar injury which Richardson believes originated because of the sub standard condition of the RDS pitch.

Ray Duffy, an established first team player last season, provides a readymade replacement for McKop but, at a time when Trevor Vaughan is on loan to Drogheda United, the task of finding a new front man would be significantly harder.

Robbie Deveraux did not look comfortable in the role after replacing Geoghegan early in the second half on Sunday, but club officials hope that the problem will be solved after their leading scorer undergoes a fitness test this afternoon.

John O'Rourke is likely to be available for the replay but just how he can be accommodated, in a formation in which Greg Costello, Gary Howlett and Brian Flood filled the three central mid field roles in Sunday's game, remains to be seen.

Rovers' big fitness doubt concerns Kenny O'Rourke, who failed to reappear for the second half of Sunday's match because of injury.

Presumably, Leonard Curtis, his replacement on that occasion, will again deputise if the need arises.