Rovers stand between Sylvans and Wheway

The Westerners need a point from their big game with Rovers at St Peter’s tomorrow to climb above Bels, who have completed their campaign, and join their opposition in the top three.

‘It has been a good season for us, really positive, and the players have worked really hard right from pre-season up until now, but it has paid off,’ said Sylvans coach Martyn de Garis.

‘People were tipping us to finish sixth or seventh, so the boys are in a good position and if we finish third or fourth, we will have done well – but it would be nice to be third.’

De Garis is likely to be without Seb Smeed this weekend due to an ankle problem while Tomos Ap Sion is rated as 50-50 and the coach is not expecting any favours from Rovers, who have already cemented second place.

‘Our games have been very competitive and quite close this season, so it could swing either way,’ de Garis said.

His opposite number, Kevin Gillease, emphasised that while his side’s position in the table cannot change this weekend, they want to build momentum going into the club’s first-ever Jeremie Cup final appearance a week later.

‘It makes the game interesting because it could have been a dead rubber, but they have got something to play for in the league and we have got the encouragement of the Jeremie Cup coming up,’ said Gillease.

‘It’s a game we are aiming to win and there are places up for grabs for the cup final – the players have got a fight on their hands to be selected for that because the squad is only so big and only 11 can start.’

Rovers will be without long-term injury absentee Jack Batiste as well as the off-island Frank Tobin while there is bad news for Blair Howitt who has ruptured his Achilles and will be wearing a protective boot for 10 weeks.

‘Blair could miss quite a bit of the start of next season, too, and that’s a real shame for him and a big loss for us which will hit us hard because he can play in midfield, out on the left, up top and do a good job,’ Gillease said.

With three of their regular midfielders unavailable, Gillease is able to move Aidan McKay back into a central position after he spent time covering at right-back while Lewis Robin was out.

‘Aidan quietly goes about his job and has really matured this season. He realises he has got an important role to play for us.’

Rovers have a big boost up front as Fin Whitmore is back in the island while their coach added that Carlos Canha is ‘champing at the bit’ to finish the season on a high over the next two weekends.

‘Carlos struggled for fitness after lockdown but he looks in good shape now and is raring to go.’

Sylvans against Rovers at St Peter’s kicks off at 2pm tomorrow and at the same time Rangers host champions St Martin’s at St Andrew’s.