Donegal will be without Colm McFadden for the opening two games of the NFL.

Still reeling from the news that McFadden's attacking acolyte Michael Murphy is set to miss the entire league due to a groin injury, manager Jim McGuinness has confirmed that left-footed ace McFadden is suffering from a back problem.

The St Michael's clubman is certain to miss the league clashes with Down and Laois. And, with Murphy also out of action, it provides an opening to some of the other forwards in the county to stake a claim.

Selector Rory Gallagher confirms: "There was no doubt that we had a problem the morning of the Kildare game last year when we were told that Michael wasn't fit to play.

"Every day we went out we had Michael and Colm, so we didn't have much of a look at alternatives.

"This is a chance now for other lads to impress over the next few weeks." Tweet

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