Kenna has re-registered himself as a player in time for this evening's friendly between Leeds and Galway in western Ireland, a move brought on by a severe shortage of players at Terryland Park.

The 37-year-old Dubliner, who was appointed as Galway's manager in April, has seen his squad haemorrhage players in recent weeks as the eircom Premier Division's bottom club struggle to meet the salary cap imposed by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI).

Galway are without a win in seven league matches and sit two points adrift at the foot of their division, but Kenna – an ex-Republic of Ireland international – is hoping his return to competitive action will prompt the upturn in form that prevents the club's relegation. Kenna told the YEP: "I've dusted off my boots and I can guarantee that I'll be playing some part against Leeds tonight.

"This wasn't something I expected to be doing but, because of our financial situation, we're not blessed with a massive number of players and this is one way of addressing that. It makes sense to make myself available.

"I was playing for Kidderminster until I took over at Galway in April so I'm in reasonable shape, but I'll probably feel a little bit ring rusty against Leeds.

"I haven't lost my competitive edge though and this is a game we'll be looking to win. It's a great fixture for our club, and a prestigious one."

Galway, who are in the middle of their domestic season, drew 1-1 with Sligo Rovers while Leeds were fulfilling their first friendly of the summer at York City last week, and the Irish club have their next league game at Bray Wanderers scheduled just 48 hours after this evening's match.

Kenna was redefined as Galway's player-manager yesterday after submitting his registration, and tonight's match will be his first since his outing in Kidderminster's Blue Square Premier game against Histon on April 12.

Harriers' Aggborough Stadium was, until this week, the final stop of a playing career which saw Kenna begin his career at Southampton before transferring to Blackburn, Birmingham City and latterly Derby County.
Kenna joined Blackburn towards the end of their Premiership title-winning season in 1995 and he won 27 caps for the Republic of Ireland, but his first step into management with Galway has been a gruelling experience.

The club have lost 12 of their 18 league fixtures and won only once against another of the Premier Division's struggling teams, UCD.
But Kenna said: "We've got enough games left to get out of trouble, and a decent performance against a side as good as Leeds would give us a lift."

In contrast to Kenna's shallow squad, McAllister has 22 professionals available to him after adding trialist and former Celtic and Southampton full-back Paul Telfer to his touring party.

United's clash with Galway is the first of three games in Ireland, with Leeds preparing to face Bray Wanderers on Sunday and Shelbourne a week today.