Donegal manager Declan Bonner says he won't be calling on any of his seasoned campaigners in next month's Dr McKenna Cup competition.

Tir Chonaill captain Michael Murphy, Neil McGee, Frank McGlynn and the injured Paddy McGrath are among those that will be held in reserve as the new supremo opts for youth in the New Year in preparation ahead of the National League.

Bonner's men open their 2018 campaign at home to Monaghan in Ballybofey on January 3rd.

"We will be looking at the McKenna Cup to blood a number of new players," Bonner told The Irish News.

"Michael Murphy, Neil McGee, Frank McGlynn and Paddy McGrath will not be involved. We have to plan their season as ultimately we want to be competitive in the NFL as well as the McKenna Cup.

"But of course the championship is the thing we will be judged on and I would hope that come the end of the NFL we would have all of these guys back at full pelt.

"We will be going into the McKenna Cup with probably an average age of 23 so it is a young squad but one I am very familiar with."

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