Donegal captain Paddy McBrearty has been named in the starting 15 for Saturday evening's All-Ireland SFC Group 4 game against Monaghan in Omagh.
The Kilcar man has missed most of the 2023 season to date because of a serious hamstring injury, which required surgery.
He came on a substitute and scored a point in the five-point loss to Ulster champions Derry in Ballybofey two weeks ago.
Now, Aidan O'Rourke and Paddy Bradley have opted to go with McBrearty from the start against Monaghan.
He partners Oisín Gallen, scorer of 0-9 in a Player of the Match performance against Derry, in the inside line this weekend.
Both teams are already assured of places in the knockout stages of the All-Ireland championship, regardless of Saturday's result as fourth-placed Clare will finish bottom of Group 4.
That may have prompted Donegal management to give McBrearty as much game time as possible before the All-Ireland quarter-finals.
Stephen McMenamin also makes a return to the starting 15 - while Bundoran's Paul Brennan is included as one of the substitutes.
The draw for the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-finals will be made live on Monday morning on RTÉ Radio 1 at 8:35am.
The Donegal matchday 26 for Saturday is:
Saturday evening's game between Donegal and Monaghan will be broadcast live on Saturday Sportsbeat on Ocean FM from 6pm - in association with Donegal Plumbing & Heating.
Match commentary will come from Paddy McGill and Gary McDaid.
