In further defensive changes, Michael McIvor will don the number seven jersey with Kevin McGuckin reverting to right corner back and Joe Keenan pencilled in for bench duty.

Crozier, whose side accounted for Mayo a fortnight ago, said: "Laois played very well against Galway in the first round at Salthill, and with a little luck and accuracy in front of goal they could have come away from there with something.

"They will be really 'up' for our game on Saturday, and we are expecting a tough test - as all games in the division will be this season."

Crozier will have to do without the services of experienced forward Eoin Bradley this weekend after he picked up an ankle injury in training.

Ballinderry clubman Raymond Wilkinson is also on the casualty list after picking up a thumb injury in Derry's opening league win over Mayo.

Meanwhile, dual players Liam Hinphey and Mark Craig could play for both the Derry senior footballers and hurlers this weekend, as they have also been included in the Oak Leafers panel for Sunday's NHL Division 2B meeting with London at Ballinascreen, throw-in 12pm.

DERRY (NFL v Laois): B Gillis; K McGuckin, N McCusker, F McEldowney; L Hinphey, M McBride, M McIvor; F Doherty, J Conway; M Lynch, B McGoldrick, E Muldoon; C Devlin, P Bradley, C Mullan.

DERRY (NHL v London): D McDermott; R McCloskey, C Brunton, C McQuillan; P McGlade, S Henry, C Quinn; R Convery, B Dodds; O McCloskey, S McCullagh, G O'Kane; P Henry, P McCloskey, G Kelly.