Dundalk hope to increase their lead at the top by beating Drogheda

With the chasing pack all involved in European games, Dundalk have the opportunity to go six points clear at the top of the table on Friday, but to do it they'll have to beat a Drogheda United side that has hit quite the run over the last few weeks.

Johnny McDonnell’s side have taken just short of half of the 21 points they currently have thanks to three wins and a draw in their last four games and having beaten Bohemians away last time out, there’ll be a bit of confidence among the players as they look to take on the champions at home.

"They beat us up there earlier in the season with a late goal but we did okay and we've come on a bit since then," said McDonnell, who will be without midfielder Adam Whelan after he suffered a concussion at Dalymount Park last week.

“We know how to play them, which isn’t to say we can actually stop them, they’re capable of beating teams around them by five goals when they’re at their best, but we’ve picked up over the last few weeks and there’s definitely a lot more confidence in the group now so we’ll give it a go.”

Tragic death

Stephen Maher

is a doubt after the tragic death of his father this week but McDonnell said he will leave the decision on whether to be involved or not to the player. Mark Hughes may be fit enough to make the bench.

Stephen Kenny has a full squad to choose for ahead of the game and the Dundalk boss will be looking to build on last week’s goal-scoring exploits, which included a couple for David McMillan in an eventful 6-2 defeat from Limerick.