McDonald hasn't played or trained with the county since their All Ireland quarter-final defeat to Kerry last August, a vacuum which created much speculation that he would not be part of this year's set-up.

However, the Crossmolina club man has been in contact with Mickey Moran's management team several times this past ten days and has made it clear his desire to get back training with his county later this month.

McDonald's work in construction has meant he has been based in recent months in Clifden, over two hours from Mayo's regular training base of Castlebar, but he is set to return to the Mayo area in the coming weeks . . . and with that to the county team.

"It's decided; it's only a matter of when, not if, " says one source close to the camp.

"There won't be a big song and dance about it. He'll just show up one of these nights with his bag over his shoulder and that'll it be it."

Mayo, who are away to Monaghan today, are currently top of Division 1A of the Allianz National League, and with McDonald back on board, will be now expected to have a serious tilt at both national titles. He offers Moran several options as he was an All Star and Footballer of the Year nominee for his exploits from centreforward in 2004, while when he played at full-forward last August he and Austin O'Malley scored more scores from play than any other players have against Kerry in championship football since Tipperary's Declan Browne in 2003.