Setanta Cup: Drogheda United captain Declan O'Brien has emphasised the need for his team-mates to mind their discipline ahead of tonight's visit to Portadown.
Despite having been marginally the better side until falling behind early in the second half, Drogheda's disappointment in leaving Turner's Cross after a 2-0 defeat to Cork City last Monday was exacerbated by having had Keith Fahey and Stephen Bradley sent off inside a minute.
And while Drogheda will argue that both were contentious dismissals, O'Brien has stressed the requirement of keeping 11 players on the pitch if Drogheda are to build on last season's FAI Cup success.
"We've talked about the discipline," said O'Brien. "I don't think it was the lads' fault, though I still think they shouldn't get involved, because you get nothing for it. That's something we have to look at. Even if the referee is maybe poor on the day, you are better off just biting your lip and saying nothing."
So Fahey and Bradley, though the latter has an ankle injury anyway, are suspended for tonight's trip to Shamrock Park, while fellow midfielder Gavin Whelan is also likely to miss out with a calf strain.
James Keddy comes into contention for a midfield start along with Paul Keegan and Sami Ristila. Graham Gartland also stands by for his first start of the season in central defence as Jason Gavin is a doubt with a calf strain.
Having lost their grip on the IFA Cup following Saturday's 2-0 quarter-final defeat at Glentoran, Portadown will be eager to give manager Ronnie McFall something extra to celebrate from his 1,000th game in charge.
Influential midfielder Richard Clarke returns from suspension while Paul Murphy continues in goal for David Miskelly (ankle). Defender Henry McStay requires a late fitness test on the hamstring strain that kept him out of Saturday's defeat.
Cork City lead Group One by a point and they will be confident of consolidating that against Dungannon Swifts, who visit Turner's Cross for tonight's live televised game.
Tonight'sGames
Group One - Cork City v Dungannon Swifts (live Setanta Sports, kick-off 8pm); Portadown v Drogheda United (7.45pm).
