League of Ireland:Having failed in their second attempt to sign Kenny Cunningham, St Patrick's Athletic will wrap up a deal to bring in Dave Rogers from Derry City after the two clubs play each other at Richmond Park this evening.
The defender will sit out the game and club officials from both sides are confident a deal will be concluded quickly afterwards, most of the main points having already been agreed.
Manager John McDonnell has, however, conceded defeat in his latest bid to bring the former Republic of Ireland skipper to Inchicore; Cunningham has informed the club he intends to stay in England, at least for the present.
"I spoke to him last year and then he went to Sunderland," says McDonnell. "This time it was Brian (Kerr) who was dealing with him and, to be honest, I haven't even gotten round to getting the full story but the bottom line is he's said he won't be coming home for the moment so it's definitely not going to happen."
The Dubliners, who reported sales of 4,000 tickets yesterday for their for their forthcoming friendly with Tottenham Hotspur (July 12th), are without John Frost and Alan Kirby (both suspended) as well as Joseph Ndo and Ryan Guy (both injured) this evening. Seán O'Connor (ankle) is a doubt.
Darragh Maguire may well return, however, after missing the Bray game with a viral infection.
City have greater problems, though; Pat McCourt, Killian Brennan, Greg O'Halloran, Alan Moore, Karl Bermingham and Ola Tidman are all laid up with one ailment or another.
Kevin Deery's return to training yesterday after picking up a dead leg last week was the one bright spot on a horizon made gloomier by the impending departure of both Rogers and Darren Kelly, neither of whom is being considered for this game.
Shamrock Rovers also have their share of problems as they prepare for another meeting with their old rivals Bohemians.
Paul Shiels, Eric McGill and skipper Aidan Price are still out, on top of which Derek Pender has torn a calf muscle, Barry Murphy remains doubtful with a neck injury, Ger Rowe hurt a knee in training and Danny O'Connor is suspended.
The club are apparently interested in signing John Martin from Longford Town, with manager Alan Matthews anxious to take a couple of players in the other direction in light of the currently limited options at Flancare Park.
For the moment, though, Pat Scully will have to settle again for giving a couple of youngsters a run-out.
"Because we have a small squad we have to bring in a few young lads," says Scully. "Last week Dean Lawrence and Mark Langtry came up from the under-21s and they did well."
The visitors seem keen, however, to at least partially even things up; Jason McGuinness is ruled out by a back problem, Harpal Singh is still recovering from an operation, and Dessie Byrne and John Paul Kelly are suspended.
Meanwhile, Drogheda United have confirmed the signing, subject to international clearance, of the 28-year-old centre half John Tambouras.
The Australia-born defender has played top-flight football in Greece, Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia and has impressed on trial at United Park.
"He's experienced, mature and strong," says manager Paul Doolin. "I didn't really intend bringing anybody in but we have a lot of bodies out and we're not sure when Jason Gavin is going to be back so we had to look around. So far, I've been impressed by what I've seen of John."
Tonight's fixtures (7.45pm unless stated)
League of Ireland Premier Division:Shamrock Rovers v Bohemians (8pm), St Patrick's v Derry City. First Division:Finn Harps v Athlone Town (8pm) Limerick 37 v Shelbourne.
