LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREVIEWS:THE CHASING pack might have a top-of-the-table look about it but Galway United are still in the Premier Division's pole position as they prepare for this evening's televised game against Sligo Rovers at Terryland Park where the home support is likely to enjoy the "top versus bottom" aspect to the clash.
Both sides are weakened by having a key player away on international duty (Jay O’Shea with the Irish under-21s, Romauld Boco with Benin) while John Russell (United) Mauro Almeida and Chris Butler (both Rovers) are still injured, but the visitors do have Jason Noctor and Seán Doherty available again after the pair missed last week’s defeat by St Patrick’s Athletic.
St Patrick’s have former Galway United midfielder John Lester suspended for the visit of Dundalk, but Jeff Kenna’s early season problems continue to ease as players return from injury and suspension. Two solid wins have made the hefty home defeat by Galway seem something of an aberration and there will be a certain amount of confidence ahead of tonight’s meeting with Seán Connor’s men despite the latter having gotten off the mark against Drogheda last weekend.
Connor will have close to full-strength squad to choose from tonight with Liam Burns available despite having been forced off early last weekend and Simon Kelly returning from his one match suspension.
Michael Collins’ international clearance remains a problem, though, and barring some late developments at Fifa, the midfielder is set to watch another match from the stands.
Bohemians travel to Drogheda without a couple of regulars, but there is good news, too, for Pat Fenlon in the form of team captain Owen Heary’s return from suspension. The defender will go straight back into the side for the game against United but Killian Brennan, Neale Fenn and Seán Byrne look set to miss out due to rib, calf and ankle problems respectively. Mark Rossiter, meanwhile, is suspended.
United’s Conor Kenna also misses out through suspension.
There are selection worries for Cork City as they prepare to host Bray Wanderer’s. Boss Paul Doolin has two players – Shane Duggan and Pat Sullivan – out due to bans while Robert Mezeckis is still injured.
The only silver lining for Doolin, whose Cork side rather dramatically blew a lead late on at the Brandywell last Friday, is that Stephen O’Donnell’s knee injury is less serious than originally thought and the midfielder is now like to be out for three rather than six months.
For Bray, Darren Forsyth, Paddy Kavanagh and Chris Deans all miss out while John Flood and Garreth Coughlan are both rated as doubtful with ankle problems.
In the night’s other top-flight game, Shamrock Rovers are at full strength for their sold-out clash with Derry City in Tallaght.
Darragh Maguire is approaching full fitness again and could start while City manager Stephen Kenny returns to his native Tallaght without the injured Kevin Deery while David Scullion (knee) and Stephen Gray (ankle) face late fitness tests.
