Meanwhile, Tyrone boss Mickey Harte is hoping to get key man Sean Cavanagh (foot) back in full training, ahead of the Derry game.

A foot injury left midfielder Cavanagh sitting out Tyrone's closing three games in the National Football League, but he has since returned to light training with his club Moy, having had the cast removed.

The three-time All-Star ventured to Birmingham over the weekend to have his foot assessed.

However, 2003 All-Star Brian McGuigan has been written out of Tyrone's immediate plans after suffering another set back in his road to recovery from a broken leg.

The Ardboe playmaker, who broke his leg his two places when playing for his club this time last year, recently underwent keyhole surgery on an ankle problem that has surfaced in the same leg.

Unfortunately this long-term injury has taken its toll on McGuigan, both in a playing sense and financially as he has to take time off work to continue his recovery and receive treatment, receiving hardly a cent in compensation.

With this in mind, a group of Tyrone supporters are holding a 'Benefit for Brian' night next Saturday in his home town of Ardboe at 6.30pm. Many GAA personalities, from north and south, will be travelling to the event which will include a GAA memorabilia auction.