Wilson hopes to avoid surgery as Westmeath face Laois

Influential Westmeath forward Fergal Wilson hopes to avoid surgery to a troublesome groin injury which is threatening to wreck his involvement in the early stages of the upcoming National Football League. The Tubberclair man - an almost ever present fixture in Westmeath"s attack throughout the decade - has been troubled by the injury for almost a year and is currently undergoing intensive physio and rehabilitation work in a bid to avoid major surgery. Speaking ahead of Westmeath"s O"Byrne Shield semi-final against Laois on Sunday at Cusack Park (throw-in: 2pm), Wilson said: 'I go back to the specialist at the end of the month and hopefully it won"t require surgery, but he"ll decide then. It has improved slightly in recent weeks but is still very painful.' Any operation on Wilson"s groin will potentially sideline him for six to eight weeks. Regardless of whether he receives an operation or not, Wilson is unlikely to feature for Westmeath in the opening rounds of the National Football League. John Keane, who had a minor knee operation last week, and Tyrrellspass midfielder Martin Flanagan, have also been ruled out of the opening fixture in the NFL. Corner-forward Alan Mangan is another player unlikely to be fit and available for selection for some time, while Garrycastle"s David O"Shaughnessy - although recently called into Westmeath"s training panel - is still some distance off returning to full training and coming into contention to figure for the county. Westmeath open the NFL Division 1 campaign against Connacht champions Galway on February 1. In better news for Westmeath, ace forward Dessie Dolan recently returned to training following a bout of illness and could even come into contention to play some part against Laois on Sunday. Shandonagh"s David Duffy underwent surgery to an injured ankle in recent weeks but was due to made a welcome return to training yesterday evening (Tuesday). Duffy now stands an outside chance of being fit to face Galway in the opening NFL fixture. An experimental Westmeath recovered from their opening O"Byrne Cup match defeat to Meath by overcoming Wexford, who also fielded a largely second string side, in the O"Byrne Shield last Sunday. The scores were tied at the end of normal time (1-9 apiece) before Westmeath eventually triumphed on a 2-13 to 2-11 scoreline, with Ballinagore"s Thomas McDaniel and Tubberclair"s Francis Spollen getting the goals for Tomás Ó Flatharta"s side. Westmeath can expect a much sterner test this coming Sunday after Laois, now under the management of Sean Dempsey, fielded a far more established side in their O"Byrne Shield defeat of Kilkenny last weekend. Meanwhile, Westmeath under-21 footballers continue their preparations for the upcoming Leinster U-21 Football Championship with a challenge match against Sligo in Athlone on Saturday. Due to a policy of rotating participating teams, Westmeath were excluded from this year"s Hastings Cup and Saturday"s match will come as a much needed outing ahead of the championship opener against Offaly on February 7. Roscommon have defeated Cavan and Leitrim in this year"s Hastings Cup and face Longford in their next outing. The Roscommon senior team continue their FBD Connacht League campaign against Mayo this Sunday (Ballyhaunis, 2pm). Meanwhile, former Westmeath defender Dermot Brady has been appointed as manager of the Westmeath ladies football team. Brady previously managed the Westmeath minor team for three years (2005 to 2007).