There are four Championship debutants selected in the Meath team to face Wicklow in Sunday's Leinster SFC first round clash at Dr Cullen Park (throw-in 3.30pm).
A series of injuries have hampered Meath's preparations for the Championship opener with key forward Stephen Bray the latest player to join the injury list.
Bray damaged his hamstring in training on Tuesday night, joining the likes of Paddy Gilsenan, Mark Ward and Shane O'Rourke on the sidelines.
The newcomers to SFC action in the Meath side are defender Donncha Tobin, midfielder Conor Gillespie and half-forward duo Alan Forde and Mark Collins.
It is a first Championship start for Summerhill's Gillespie who previously featured as a substitute during Meath's successful 2010 Leinster Championship campaign.
Tobin from the Blackhall Gaels club has been ever-present for Seamus McEnaney's men this season, making eight starts and coming off the bench twice.
Collins from Duleek/Bellewstown missed the Allianz League through injury and is itching to make up for lost time.
Captain Seamus Kenny is listed at wing back after finishing the league at centre-forward. In a second defensive switch, Shane McAnarney is positioned at left corner back.
Meath's attacking sextet for the weekend includes target man Joe Sheridan, who has returned from a short spell in America, and Nobber's Brian Farrell at top of the right.
Despite their relegation in the Allianz League, the Royals come into the Championship feeling refreshed after a three-week break from club Championship fare.
The addition of renowned coach John Evans and Meath legend Trevor Giles to the backroom team has also lifted the panel.
MEATH (SFC v Wicklow): David Gallagher; Micky Burke, Kevin Reilly, Shane McAnarney; Donncha Tobin, Bryan Menton, Seamus Kenny (capt); Conor Gillespie, Brian Meade; Alan Forde, Mark Collins, Graham Reilly; Brian Farrell, Joe Sheridan, Cian Ward.
Subs: Justin Carry-Lynch, Caoimhin King, Eoghan Harrington, Chris O'Connor, Eoin Reilly, Brian Sheridan, Jamie Queeney, Peadar Byrne, Damien Carroll, Donal Keogan, Ciaran Lenehan
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