NATIONAL LEAGUE: INJURIES AND a suspension may deprive him of six players at the moment, but Derry City manager Stephen Kenny has been pleased with the depth of his squad that has seen them make a positive start to the season.
While somewhat unconvincing wins at UCD and at home to Finn Harps might have been expected, a late, late Conor Sammon equaliser at Cork City last week appears to be the result that has given Derry's season a real confidence boost. It may prove just the tonic ahead of tonight's clash with champions Drogheda United at the Brandywell.
"We have six out, but we're not too bad," said Kenny. "We have a good few new signings and a few players missing.
"But we've shown that we've a little bit of depth to our squad, which is important.
"We have seven points from nine, which is a reasonable start, but we're still looking to improve as a team and I feel we definitively can."
Recent signing Aaron Callaghan vies with Gareth McGlynn for the right-back berth in place of the suspended Eddie McCallion while winger Paddy McCourt expects to be passed fit despite only resuming light training yesterday following a dead leg at Turner's Cross.
Darren Quigley, Seán Hargan, Mark McChrystal, Sammy Morrow and Kevin Deery, who had an operation on a knee this week, all remain sidelined with injuries.
Fresh from their first win of the season last week, Drogheda travel with confidence.
"The Brandywell's always a tough place to go, but we've a decent record up there and we'll be looking to add to it," said manager Paul Doolin, who has defender Jason Gavin back in contention following injury.
However, goalkeeper Dan Connor, captain Declan O'Brien, Shaun Maher and Shane Barrett all remain out injured.
Despite having won their two away games so far, Bohemians manager Pat Fenlon knows their title challenge will have its foundation at Dalymount Park. "To remain in contention for the title we must win the vast majority our home matches," said Fenlon.
Though Chris Turner, John Paul Kelly and Conor Powell all reported back fit and well from under-21 international duty, winger Killian Brennan is suspended while midfielder Glenn Cronin (hamstring) and Neale Fenn (groin) are out injured for another week.
Captain Kevin Hunt was due to see a specialist yesterday to see whether he needs surgery on a broken bone in his foot.
Newly promoted Harps, who have won two of their three games, wait on central defenders Stuart Malcolm and Aaron Labonte, who missed last week's win over UCD with groin strains.
Defender Jonathan Minnock is a major doubt with an Achilles problem, though Shaun Holmes returns from suspension at left-back. Striker Stephen Parkhouse remains out with a knee injury.
League leaders St Patrick's travel to Bray Wanderers defending the only 100 per cent record in the country.
