Brian McGuigan out of retirement and back at Tyrone training

Brian McGuigan trained with the Tyrone squad on Thursday night

Brian McGuigan has answered a plea from Tyrone manager Mickey Harte to return to the senior county set-up.

McGuigan has decided to come out of retirement and is ready to face Armagh in the Ulster Championship on 10 June.

McGuigan returned to training on Thursday night and took part in an in-house training match in Clogher.

Harte turned to his treble All-Ireland winning playmaker in the face of an injury crisis, with Sean Cavanagh the latest attackers to be ruled out.

Ardboe man McGuigan was one of a string of big name players to announce their retirements prior to the start of this season, the others including Brian Dooher, Philip Jordan, Enda McGinley and Kevin Hughes.

McGuigan had continued to play with his club, but his sudden return to the inter-county scene has been something of whirlwind, and he has just over a week to get himself up to the pace of Ulster Championship football.

Tyrone have been robbed of four top-class forwards by injury, including McGuigan's brother Tommy, as well as Kyle Coney and Ronan O'Neill.

Manager Harte confirmed that the versatile Cavanagh will play no part in the championship after being injured in a club game on Sunday.

Cavanagh was initially ruled out of the quarter-final with Armagh but he will now miss the entire campaign following a scan on Tuesday.

The Moy clubman was stretchered off during a game against Derrytresk.

Cavanagh had surgery on his other shoulder late last year after suffering a detached tendon.

Cavanagh made a gradual return to action with Tyrone during the National League, and was approaching a return to top form.

Harte indicated that he may consider recalling some of the players who have announced their retirement from inter-county football and it is understood that McGuigan is the number one target.

Rising star Peter Harte is still struggling from a nasty concussion he sustained in a club game and will not be involved in contact training this week.

Ronan McNabb (hamstring) is another injury concern. Davy Harte is unlikely to be involved in the game against Armagh at the Athletic Grounds after undergoing surgery on his groin.