National League: UCD captain Tony McDonnell has warned of the dangers of allowing the club's cup runs to distract them from their main aim this season: consolidating their Premier Division status.
While they eagerly await Tuesday's final of the League Cup, in which they have home advantage to Derry City, and the fact they are into the quarter-finals of the FAI Cup against Bray Wanderers, UCD haven't won in seven league games and could yet be dragged into a relegation battle.
"This is the biggest game of our season," said McDonnell of this evening's league trip to Bray Wanderers. "If we lose it we really are in a dogfight. If we win we go above Bray into seventh in the table. It's a huge game.
"We have drawn 10 (league) games now and we have to start turning them into wins. There is also the fact that we don't want to be going into a cup final having lost a game."
McDonnell, substituted in the first half of last week's 2-2 draw with Drogheda, should be over a slight hamstring strain to resume. Central defender Conor Kenna's return from injury may free up McDonnell to return to central midfield, even though regular central defender Alan McNally (hamstring), along with striker Robbie Martin (ankle) remains out.
Bray are again likely to be without their captain Jody Lynch (ankle) while fellow defender Graham O'Hanlon is also out with an ankle problem. Colm Tresson and Philip Keogh are back from suspension, but in-form midfielder Colm James is now banned.
Derry City travel to face Bohemians without the influence of suspended striker Gary Beckett as they strive to make it a remarkable 20 games without defeat.
With Cork City not playing in Longford until Sunday night, there is the added incentive for Derry of going top of the table for at least 48 hours, albeit with two games more played.
Bohemians have player/manager Gareth Farrelly available after suspension, though captain Kevin Hunt is banned along with defender Des Byrne.
Shelbourne should maintain their revival and stretch their winning run to four games at home to a depleted Waterford United, now without a win in 17 games.
Stuart Byrne and Richie Baker are suspended for the champions, though manager Pat Fenlon is confident that both midfielder Alan Reynolds and striker Glen Crowe will be over hamstring strains to be included in his squad.
Waterford have David Breen back from a ban but fellow defenders Kevin Doherty (ineligible as he's on loan from Shelbourne), John Hayes (hamstring) and Seán Finn (knee) are all out.
"We've 10 draws and it's not good enough," said Drogheda United manager Paul Doolin of his side's fading hopes of qualifying for Europe ahead of their clash with struggling St Patrick's Athletic at United Park.
"We've scored 31 goals which isn't bad, but we've conceded 28. If we could tighten up we'd be fine."
Drogheda are at full strength while St Patrick's welcome back central defender Darragh Maguire following suspension.
Tonight's fixtures (7.45 unless stated): Premier Division: Bohemians v Derry City; Bray Wanderers v UCD; Drogheda United v St Patrick's Athletic; Shelbourne v Waterford United (8.0)
