Just over 24 hours after being boosted by the availability of Cian McBride, Meath have been dealt a major blow with the news that star forward Mickey Newman has been ruled out for the remainder of the year.

The Kilmainham clubman, an All Star nominee in 2013, has been dogged by hip trouble in the past and is looking into the possibility of further surgery to rectify the issue.Newman has also been hit by elbow and ankle issues throughout his career and sat out the 2018 season in a bid to regain full fitness.

Manager Andy McEntee, however, recently welcomed AFL starlet and St Ultan’s midfielder McBride back into the squad. McBride is playing with Meath with the blessing of his club Essendon, who signed on with the club late last year. Goalkeeper Andy Colgan, defenders Seamus Lavin and Shane Gallagher and Ben Brennan and Darragh Campion are also available again after spells out.

Meath will use their remaining National League outings against Dublin and Monaghan to fine tune preparations for their Leinster championship opener against either Wexford or Wicklow on the weekend of November 7/8.