Sligo Rovers are winless in the league since May, but they'll be looking to put a tumultuous summer period behind them under new manager Darren Purse. The 49-year-old, who made almost 700 appearances during his playing career, was most recently manager of Cardiff City's U21s. He replaces now-Shelbourne manager John Russell, who left Sligo for Dublin alongside assistant manager Ryan Casey in July. Another former Derry striker who made the switch to the west coast is 16-year-old Jamie O'Donnell while Englishman Luke Pearce returned to the club he spent the 2024 campaign on loan at. Midfielder Jack Shorrock was also a deadline day loan signing from Port Vale. Three of Sligo Rovers' five wins this year came consecutively in April as they beat Bohemians, Waterford, and Dundalk. Since then, they've picked up just two wins from the following thirteen league games. A 4-0 win over Janesboro in the FAI Cup second round set up a third-round bout with Kerry FC, who knocked out Shelbourne a month ago and Sligo Rovers this time last year. 19-year-old defender Gareth McElroy has been a standout in defence, while Sam Sargeant is the first-choice goalkeeper and hasn't missed a minute in 2026. It has been over a year since City lost to Sligo Rovers, with the Candystripes winning two of the three fixtures since current Derry defender Paddy McClean scored in a 2-0 win for the Bit'O'Red in July 2025. League standing: 10th in Premier Division, 22 points, 5 wins, 7 draws, 14 losses from 26 games, recent form DDLLD.