Published Friday, 06 January 2012
Sean Cavanagh had hoped to be back in action by the start of the National League next month. But a training session this week has forced him into a rethink.
"At this stage, hopefully, I'm looking to get back on the pitch mid February, looking towards the third or fourth game of the national lead, he told UTV.
"We were disappointed last year; Derry piped us in the final in a couple of points in the end," he said of the McKenna Cup.
"I know ourselves just like the other counties will be looking to get off to a good start and build a good platform for the league."
Lafferty will play at full forward in a side that sees the return of Mickey Murphy and Mattie Donnelly, neither of whom has featured for the past two seasons. Both will play at wing forward.
Peter Harte, who has made a name for himself as an attacker, has been named at centre back, while Aidan Cassidy, who missed most of last season due to an ankle injury, returns at midfield, where he partners Colm Cavanagh.
Holders Derry play Cavan in Sunday's opening McKenna Cup game.