Jim McGuinness will run rule over Michael Murphy this week ahead of Armagh 

 Jim McGuinness says Michael Murphy is itching to get going as Donegal turn attention towards Armagh in Ballybofey this weekend. 

But fresh off their second successive NFL win, away to Kerry in Killarney the Donegal boss says he’ll continue to err on the side of caution ahead of the All-Ireland champions’ visit to MacCumhaill Park on Sunday. 

“Michael is close,” McGuinness explained. “But we want to make sure that Michael is ready to step in. 

“We’re risk averse. So again, we’ll make a decision on Michael late in the week. But he’s fit, healthy and probably looking to get going himself at this stage. 

“But if it’s this week, next week or the week after we’ll just have to wait and see”.  

With Jason McGee still absent and Michael Langan now also sidelined with a hamstring complaint, McGuinness was pressed on whether the 2012 All-Ireland winning captain might be needed around the middle of the field against Kieran McGeeney’s men.  

“It would be hard for Michael to win ball around the middle of the field if he’s taking the kickouts. But if anyone can do that it’ll be Michael Murphy!” 

McGuinness it seems will keep us waiting and indeed guessing about where and when Murphy will reappear for another whale yet.