Kilkenny manager Brian Cody will be short a number of key players because of injury for Sunday's opening Leinster SHC defence against Offaly at O'Moore Park. Full back Noel Hickey and attacker Richie Power are struggling to make it and, with Henry Shefflin, James Ryall and John Tennyson already ruled out, Cody will have to dig deep into his vast resources to find suitable replacements. Hickey injured his groin last week, while Power strained his hamstring in training last Wednesday night. Corner forward Aidan Fogarty is also struggling with a shoulder injury, while PJ Delaney was forced to sit out training over the weekend. On the plus side, midfielder Derek Lyng could yet play a part against the Faithful County after making a full recovery from the ankle injury which forced him to miss the entire National League campaign. The Emeralds clubman is unlikely to start, but may make an appearance at some stage. Kilkenny selector Martin Fogarty admitted: "We're getting a bad run of injuries at the moment, but one man's misfortune is another man's fortune. "Other players will have to step up, get a jersey and justify their positions on the panel. We're hoping a few of the injured players might come through, but at the moment, they're in trouble." Tweet

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