MAYO WON’T BE able to call on the services of Trevor Mortimer or Tom Cunniffe when the Allianz National Football League begins next month.

Having to do without the two experienced defenders is a blow for James Horan’s side, who face Laois (February 4) and Dublin (February 11) in the opening two rounds of the league.

Both players miss out as they are currently abroad, but Mortimer should be back from work-related business in Africa by the middle of next month.

“Trevor Mortimer is away at the moment so we’ll be talking to him,” Horan told The Mayo News.

“He’ll be available probably from February onwards. He’s working away on his own.”

It is unclear when Cunniffe, who is believed to be in the US, will be available again however as Horan didn’t put a date on his return.

He (Tom) may be back for the league, he’s going to be out of the country for a while, so we’ll just have to see how that goes and keep all our options open.”

The Connacht champions do have Trevor’s brother, Conor, back in action as the former All-Star came off the bench against Leitrim on Sunday after spending 18 months on the sidelines through injury.

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