GAELIC GAMES: Derry's most influential player, Anthony Tohill, is poised for a perfectly-timed return to championship action, almost a year after he last played competitive football.

His inclusion in the Derry team to play Tyrone in Sunday's Ulster football championship quarter-final in Clones now appears a formality following his gradual return to fitness over the last number of months.

Knee surgery late last year has kept Tohill out of competition since Derry's last championship outing - coincidentally against Tyrone last July - but intensive rehabilitation in recent months, most of which was done alone, has primed him to resume action, and most likely in his familiar midfield position.

Though manager Mickey Moran will wait until tomorrow evening before finalising the team, Tohill's presence is anticipated for several reasons. His return to the panel last month provided a significant psychological boost to the team as they prepare to take on the league champions. Also, two weeks ago he played the first half of a challenge game against Meath.

Most crucial, however, is Tohill's undoubted leadership qualities. The former captain and four-time All Star has been a constant source of inspiration to Derry since his debut in 1991 (again, against Tyrone), and though now a few months short of his 32nd birthday, he can continue to play a pivotal role not just at midfield, but throughout the field.

The only question mark is over the level of his fitness. His knee injury had become chronic last summer, and required attention after every game. Tohill spent four months rebuilding his fitness after the operation, and according to Derry physio Chris McNichol, he might still be a little short of his best.

"Well, I wouldn't say he has regained full fitness," admitted McNichol. "But he is training at a high level, and it's no secret that he put in 30 good minutes in the recent challenge game against Meath."

Tyrone manager Mickey Harte, meanwhile, has already given a surprise recall to experienced defender Chris Lawn, who was sidelined throughout the successful league campaign with a groin injury and was not expected to feature in the starting line-up for several more weeks.

A brief appearance as a substitute in the league final victory over Laois earlier this month was the first indication of Lawn's return to fitness, and Harte is satisfied his form is now good enough to earn a starting place for Sunday.

"He has played some matches for his club and he has been in full training with us, and also came on in the league final," said Harte.

"He brings great experience to the team, and he's a versatile player. He has been around the defence in many places during his career, and is a great steadying influence at this time.

"We have Peter Canavan from the early 90s era leading the attack, and somebody like Chris Lawn can do a similar job for us at the back."

Lawn has been named at right corner back, replacing Ryan McMenamin. Otherwise the team that started against Laois is unchanged. There was speculation that Gerard Cavlan would start in the forward line after his impressive impact as a substitute in the league final, but instead he must be content once again with a place on the bench.

There is still a large doubt, however, over the eligibility of Gavin Devlin, who is named for his first championship outing at centre back.

Tonight's meeting of the Games Administration Committee will review video evidence of the apparent stamping in the league final involving Devlin, and will then decide whether he should be called on to answer the charge.

If so, that charge is likely to be heard at a special meeting on Saturday, and could yet see Devlin receive a 12-week suspension. It all means that Devlin might not know until 24 hours before the throw-in in Clones if he is eligible to play.

Elsewhere, Galway and Roscommon will finalise their teams later today for Sunday's Connacht football championship opener at Pearse Stadium. While Galway manager John O'Mahony is confident that Michael Donnellan has put his minor ankle injury scare behind him, Roscommon manager Tom Carr has had less positive news on several of his starting players.

Certain to miss out is wing back Andrew McPadden, who has been carrying a shoulder injury for several weeks and is now resigned to surgery. Corner backs Ray Cox and John Whyte are troubled with hamstring injuries and seem unlikely to play.

TYRONE (SF v Derry): J Devine; C Lawn, C Holmes, M McGee; C Gormley, G Devlin, P Jordan; C McAnallen, S Cavanagh; B Dooher, B McGuigan, S O'Neill; E McGinley, P Canavan, O Mulligan.