CORK City head coach John Cotter expects to have close to a full squad to choose from for tomorrow night’s Europa League first qualifying round first-leg clash with Progrès Niederkorn at Turner’s Cross (kick-off 7.45pm).

With Karl Sheppard having returned from a persistent back problem and new signings Mark O’Sullivan and Joel Coustrain available, Cotter has options, though he’s keen to ensure that niggling injuries are contained.

“We shouldn’t be too bad,” he said.

“Conor McCormack has a knock and Gearóid Morrissey was carrying an injury even going into last Friday, though it was one of the best games he played in a while.

“It’s just about managing things because we have a lot of tired bodies. Even last week, we had the Derry game straight out of the break and went from that to playing Finn Harps on the Monday and travel home and you’re into another intense game against Bohs.

“They just need managing and hopefully they’ll all be available to us.

City’s Luxembourg opponents overcame Cardiff Metropolitan University in the preliminary round and Cotter has an idea of what to expect though he wants City to take the game to visitors so as to have something to take with them in the second leg.

“We had somebody watching them live a couple of weeks ago and last week in the second leg,” he said.

“We’d have watched a lot of videos of them and they’re a good side. These sides are generally technically very good and we have to press them well and then be good with the ball when we do get it.

“We have to try to stamp our game on to them, the onus is on us to be on the front foot and that’s when Cork City teams are at their best.”