Karl Lacey has declared himself fit for Sunday's Ulster SFC clash with Tyrone at Ballybofey.

The 'Footballer of the Year' revealed that manager Jim McGuinness has been 'pushing' him hard to be ready in time to line out against the Red Hand County.

Lacey has been sidelined for the last six months due to a hip injury.

"I suppose if you had an easier run in maybe Jim (McGuinness) might have let me off a wee bit, but he's been pushing me hard," Lacey told the Irish Independent.

"I've been pushing myself hard the last few weeks because this is 'the game'. I'd say he has been pushing me a wee bit harder to get fit for it.

"It's a dangerous place to be as well, you have got to be very careful and think ahead - hopefully it is going to be a long year.

"But you want to play in the big matches... it's going to be a sell-out crowd, you are playing against Tyrone - one of the best teams in the country - and those are the games you want to be involved in.

"I probably wouldn't be where I was last year. But I'm happy with where I'm at. It took a wee bit longer than I thought, but I have plenty of cardio sessions under my belt.

"I suppose I ran out of time a little bit to build the match fitness, only having three games. I was hoping to have a few more league games under my belt before playing Tyrone.

"I'll give the last training session everything I've got and then Jim and Rory (Gallagher) will decide whether I'm sharp enough - to play the full game, half a game, 10 minutes."

Lacey was impressed by the Red Hand County's run to the FL Division 1 decider.

"They seem to be, overall, in better shape - stronger, fitter, faster. Even the likes of Stephen O'Neill, Sean Cavanagh, they seem to have gone up a level or two, back to where they were at four or five years ago when they were at their best.

"And Mickey has got a good game plan going there. They are definitely the in-form team up there with Dublin and have good momentum." Tweet

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