Mernagh still part of Lennon"s plans as Athlone seek badly needed win

Athlone Town manager Dermot Lennon has scoffed at suggestions that forward Johnny Mernagh has left the club. Mernagh was suspended for Athlone"s trip to Waterford Utd last Friday week but somewhat surprisingly didn"t feature in the squad against Shelbourne last weekend. The absence of the pacy striker led to growing rumours that he has in fact parted company with the Midlands club. However, Dermot Lennon laughed off such suggestions after Saturday"s 1-0 home defeat to Shelbourne. 'There is absolutely nothing in that,' Lennon stated. 'Johnny Mernagh was sick last weekend and couldn"t be involved. He"s expected to take part in training this week with a view to playing some part against Monaghan Utd on Saturday,' added Lennon. Mernagh netted a brace of goals when Athlone drew 3-3 with Shelbourne at Tolka Park in early August but has been in and out of the starting line-up since. Athlone are in desperate need of a rare victory when Monaghan Utd visit Lissywoollen on Saturday (kick-off: 7.30pm). The Town will be without the suspended Robbie Hamm and long-term injury casualty Niall Scullion, but could have centre back Des Hope available again after a back injury. Hamm is unavailable after receiving a straight red card in last weekend"s defeat to Shelbourne, who are now joint top of the First Division with Dundalk. Athlone have not won for twelve games and sit just three points ahead of bottom placed Kildare County with only six matches remaining. Back in August, Athlone produced one of their worst performances of the season when losing 3-0 away to Monaghan Utd. Prior to that, the Town defeated Monaghan 2-1 earlier in the season and were also held to a scoreless draw by Monaghan upon the last visit of Mick Cooke"s mid-table side to Lissywoollen at the end of May. With games quickly running out, Dermot Lennon knows Athlone are in dire need of three points against Monaghan. 'We just can"t seem to get that elusive win of late. We"ve had lots of draws and have been narrowly beaten in several games but perhaps our main problem has been a failure to beat the teams around us in the table. Monaghan have improved a lot this season but we desperately need to beat them,' said Lennon. Kick-off in Saturday"s First Division clash at Lissywoollen is scheduled for 7.30pm.