Shamrock Rovers will be without key midfielders Marc Kenny and Derek Tracey for tonight's UEFA Cup qualifier against Swedish side Djurgardens.
Kenny is paying the price for being sent off in an InterToto Cup first-round tie against Turkish club Altay Spor four years ago and now starts a three-match ban.
Manager Liam Buckley also rates Tracey "very doubtful" for the first-round first leg clash at Tolka Park due to an Achilles tendon problem.
To add to Rovers's problems, striker Tony Grant is scheduled to have a late fitness test on a thigh injury picked up in Sunday's scoreless draw with UCD in the Premier Division.
In the absence of Kenny and Tracey, the experienced Jason Colwell and Greg Costello are expected to be handed the midfield roles.
First Division side Dundalk face a monumental task to reach the next round as they travel to Croatia to tackle Varteks, conquerors of Aston Villa last season.
Manager Martin Murray will give late fitness tests to defenders Robbie Brunton (thigh) and Noel Melvin (knee) before naming his side but defender Donal Broughan is definitely out suspended.
Former Huddersfield player Gary Haylock - a veteran of 28 previous matches in Europe with Linfield, Portadown, Panionios and Shelbourne - looks likely to lead the attack despite carrying a knock.
While likely to play Haylock as a lone striker, Murray will encourage midfield men Martin Reilly, Chris Lawless and David Ward to push forward at every opportunity in the hope of keeping the tie alive for the second leg at Tolka Park in a fortnight's time.