TYRONE forward Tommy McGuigan is a major doubt for Saturday’s All-Ireland quarter-final clash with Tyrone in Croke Park (4.0).

The Ardboe man has failed to take any part in training since the Ulster final dismantling of Monaghan on July 18 due to on ongoing knee problem and may need medical treatment this week which could force him out of Saturday’s Croke Park clash completely.

“Tommy is suffering from swelling on his knee and he may need a little bit of work done on the knee this week,” explained Tony Donnelly, Mickey Harte’s assistant with Tyrone.

“When he trains or plays, he suffers from swelling afterwards. In consultation with the medical people, it looks as if something would need to be done about it.”

“And if he has a medical procedure done on it this week, he would be out of contention for this weekend. He has been hampered a good bit by his inability to train.”

BLOW

McGuigan’s loss, if confirmed, would certainly be a blow for the Red Hands, though they are not short on potential replacements.

McGuigan started the Ulster final at full-forward in the enforced absence of Stephen O’Neill but the former Footballer of the Year is back in full training now and could even be fit to start in Croke Park.

O’Neill has been hampered since his return to intercounty football for the 2008 All-Ireland final with a range of injuries though his latest, a heel problem, has severely hampered his summer.

The problem has responded well to rest, however, and Harte has confirmed that he will be in a position to play “a significant part” in Saturday’s clash with the Dubs.

Added to Harte’s war chest of talent is the renewed availability of midfielder, Enda McGinley, who sat out their entire National League campaign in a bid to shake off a range of niggling injuries.

The three-time All-Ireland winning Errigal Chiarán clubman has resumed full training, however, and could make his seasonal return against Dublin in HQ.

“Enda is in good condition, in good shape and training well well,” confirmed Donnelly. Meanwhile, the GAA is expected to welcome its millionth summer customer to Croke Park on Saturday by the time Dublin and Tyrone take the pitch.

Some 959,367 supporters have come through the gates for 79 inter-county games in both codes and with a 60,000 plus crowd expected for Saturday’s double-header, the GAA are set for a bumper financial weekend.

The CCCC yesterday announced that Dublin’s clash with Tyrone would be the main event on Saturday’s bill, with Kerry’s clash with Down preceding the fixture at 2.0.

And on Sunday, Cork’s clash with Roscommon is the curtain raiser for another possible crowd-puller; Meath versus Kildare.

ALL-IRELAND SFC QUARTER-FINALS

Saturday Kerry v Down, 2.0; Dublin v Tyrone, 4.0

Sunday Cork v Roscommon, 2.0; Meath v Kildare, 4.0