Cork City manager Damien Richardson will this afternoon assess the fitness of Liam Kearney and Joe Gamble ahead of the second leg of the Intertoto Cup second round clash with Hammarby.

Cork approach the game knowing the have to score in the Rasunda stadium tomorrow after a 1-1 home draw with the Swedish side last week.

Richardson has welcomed back Darragh Ryan from an abdominal muscle injury but must plan without Colm Carroll (cruciate) and Brian O'Callaghan (groin).

Midfielders Kearney and Gamble are suffering from hamstring and back injuries respectively, but Richardson hopes that pair will emerge unscathed from training and help his side book their place in the next round where they will meet Dutch side Utrecht.

"Our training session this afternoon will be important. It will indicate to me the mood of the players ahead of the game tomorrow, while it will also allow me to make a decision on the fitness of Liam Kearney and Joe Gamble," said Richardson today.

"There is a mood of quiet determination, and a growing sense of confidence in the squad. We are determined to do our utmost to progress to the next round."

Elsewhere, Dermot Lennon has been appointed manager of First Division Athlone Town for the remainder of the season.

The former player had been acting as assistant manager since 2006.

Speaking after the appointment club chairman Ken Bryan said: "The Club is very happy with Dermot and his backroom team. We look forward to a strong finish to the season, and we hope to add more quality to the squad during the coming weeks."

Lennon's first official game in charge will come on Sunday afternoon when Kilkenny City are the visitors to Athlone Town Stadium.