Despite the perception that reigning champions Bohemians are their only viable opponents for the title, Shelbourne manager Pat Fenlon rejects the notion it's a two-horse race for the National League crown.

"It's not like there are just four or five games to go. If there were you might say it is a two-horse race. But there is still a long way to go yet," said Fenlon, who also refuses to hear talk of his side winning the championship, despite having led all the way, culminating in their current eight-point lead.

"We've still to play Rovers three times, Bohs twice and St Pat's away. There is too much football still to be played to be saying anything at this stage," said Fenlon, whose side get one of those games with Shamrock Rovers out of the way at Tolka Park tonight.

"Cork and St Pat's are still there. If ourselves and Bohs did pull any further away then that would be it, but with everyone still to play everyone else again, it's not over by a long shot. The eight-point gap is there, though I'd like it to be 28. But Bohs have a game in hand and I'm sure Cork and St Pat's don't see themselves out of it either."

The strength in depth of Fenlon's squad is tested tonight with suspension ruling out captain and regular right-back Owen Heary and central defender Kevin Doherty.

The versatility of many of his players gives Fenlon options in both areas, however. David Crawley has been back in training following a bereavement and may come back in at left back, freeing Dave Rogers to revert to central defence or even move to right back. Nominally a striker, Jamie Harris, who has scored in the last two games, is also capable of dropping back into central defence.

Contrary to Fenlon's view, Rovers manager Liam Buckley firmly believes only Shelbourne or Bohemians will win the league.

"It's most definitely a two-horse race," said Buckley. "At this stage it's hard to see them both dropping the points required to let the other teams back into it. They are both full-time and have settled squads with a good structure in place."

Tony O'Dowd, having taken his chance to impress over the last three matches, keeps his place in goal, despite regular goalkeeper Barry Ryan being fit again following a back injury. Central defender Stephen McGuinness is again unlikely to feature due to an ankle injury, though a similar but less severe complaint for right-back Steven Gough means he should pass a fitness test to be in contention to start.

St Patrick's Athletic will appeal a one-match suspension to left-back Karim El Khebyr which would have ruled him out of the FAI Cup final with Longford Town on Sunday week. El Khebyr has received the ban, which comes into force next Wednesday, for accumulating eight penalty points.

"We are appealing that on several counts and it should be heard next week, freeing Karim to play," said the St Patrick's manager, Eamonn Collins, who insists being in the cup final has actually intensified his players' focus on the league. "It's been more of a help than a difficulty," Collins said.

Paul Rose (hamstring) and Paul Donnelly (hernia) remain sidelined for tonight's visit to Richmond Park of Bohemians in an early repeat of their epic FAI Cup semi-final replay.

Bohemians wait on central midfielder Stephen Caffrey, who is troubled by a calf strain. Fergal Harkin stands by to partner Kevin Hunt in the middle while Paul Keegan is pressing hard for inclusion in attack at the expense of Robbie Doyle.

Drogheda United midfielder-cum-striker Mark Quinless, scorer of a sublime goal at Bohemians on Monday, comes back down to earth with a bump tonight as he is forced to watch from the stand due to suspension for the visit to 0₂ Park of Cork City.

Declan O'Brien, expected to be fit following a groin injury, could replace Quinless in attack alongside Andy Myler.

Cork are boosted by news of George O'Callaghan having signed a new two-year contract, and not least by the striker's return from suspension to lead their attack.

"We have to keep the momentum going for Europe," said Cork manager Pat Dolan, whose side are unbeaten in five games.

TONIGHT'S FIXTURES (7.45 unless stated): Premier Division - Drogheda United v Cork City (8.0); St Patrick's Athletic v Bohemians; Shelbourne v Shamrock Rovers.