Walsh has had to select widely different teams in the wins so far over Sligo, Leitrim and GMIT and with several players set to miss the start of the league away to Laois on Sunday week, the Galway manager said this game against Roscommon is welcome.

“We see it as an extra game. They are going well, it should be a good contest and a great chance for lads to make a claim.

“We have been very pleased with the way new players have performed during the FBD this year. We needed to find extra players and a lot of lads have put their hands up and that’s encouraging,” he said.

With the likes of experienced players such as Gary O’Donnell and Gary, both of whom are only returning to the fold having got married recently, and several regulars injured, Walsh has had room to experiment.

He is going to head into the start of the league without the likes of experienced defenders Finian Hanley and Gareth Bradshaw, forward Shane Walsh, twins Cathal and Patrick Sweeney, while Johnny Duane and Michael Lundy have gone to the United States.

That has paved the way for newcomers and players such as Eoin Kerins from Annaghdown, Killannin’s Rory Greene, David Wynne from Moycullen, Clonbur’s Alan Kyne, Paul Mannion from Kilconly, dual player Eamon Brannigan from St Michael’s, and goalkeeper Thomas Dolan from Athenry have caught the eye.

Sunday’s FBD League final against Roscommon in Tuam is a repeat of last year’s decider which the Rossies won with a flurry of goals in the second-half to claim their first crown in 16 years by 4-8 to 1-12.