Leon Pohls will start in goal for Shamrock Rovers when they host leaders Bohemians in tomorrow’s top-of-the-table derby clash.
First-choice ‘keeper Alan Mannus will be sidelined for a number of weeks having dislocated and broken a finger in Monday’s win away to Derry City.
Pohls came off the bench to replace Mannus in that game and saved a penalty - on his birthday - to help secure three precious points.
And the German will be handed the gloves at Tallaght Stadium tomorrow with over 7,500 expected for the televised clash.
Hoops boss Stephen Bradley said today: "Alan is out for a few weeks. He hurt his finger in Derry. We got a scan and there’s a dislocation and a little break.”
But Bradley insists long-time No 2 Pohls can deal with the pressure of stepping into the side for the high stakes encounter.
"He'll be fine,” said Bradley. “Part of football and part of the season is that you have players that will be injured.
"Between now and the start of the year we've had four or five players missing every week, and good players. You have to get on with it and understand that's football.
“He's not a 19-year-old kid who has never played a game. He's played some big games for us and he'll be fine. He's ready to go."
Bradley continued: “Leon played in this game before, over in Dalymount two years back, I think.
“The reason we played him in Europe a lot last year was for situations like this, to get him that big game experience.
‘He played at Djurgardens where there were 20,000 at the game. He played in a few European games.
"That was the reason, always thinking of the bigger picture with him. I think keepers only get better by playing in real life scenarios . You can do all the training you want.
"What we have seen is Leon improving and getting better. I believe he is ready and we have faith in him."
Former Bohemians ace Liam Burt is available again having returned to training today following a prolonged spell on the sidelines since joining Rovers over the close season.
Sean Gannon is also back but Sean Kavanagh is another week from featuring while Dylan Watts still has three or four weeks on the sidelines.
Toms Leitis, 18, will be Rovers’ third choice goalkeeper tomorrow and Bradley added: “He’s with the U19s and trains with us every day. He’s young, but he’s a good one.”
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