HAVING BEGUN the second series of games with three points from Sligo's Showgrounds on Friday, the St Patrick's Athletic manager, John McDonnell, is upbeat ahead of tonight's top-of-the-table clash with Bohemians at Richmond Park.

The return to fitness of midfielder Joseph Ndo and defender David Partridge, and another defender, Stephen Paisley, back from suspension, is a bonus.

"We had two tough away games at Drogheda and Sligo, so we're delighted to be back playing at Richmond with a full house behind us," said McDonnell. "It's also great to welcome players back from injury at this stage . . .

"I've highlighted to the players the need to improve on last year and to pick up points in the second phase of games. So whether it's against Bohemians on Tuesday or Galway on Friday we need to pick up points."

Just two points behind, Bohemians are unbeaten in 10 games since losing to St Patrick's back in mid-March. But their squad is stretched. The winger John Paul Kelly is still out with a knee injury. And their under-21 international left-back, Conor Powell, is a doubt having incurred an ankle injury in Friday night's win over Galway.

Midfielders Glen Cronin (groin) and Stephen O'Donnell (toe) are also struggling for fitness. Chris Turner and Harpal Singh are in contention to start.

"Pat's were the only team to beat us at home, but we have improved a great deal since that game," said the manager, Pat Fenlon. "I feel we are playing with more consistency at the moment and the players know what's expected of them. They won't need to be motivated for this."

Finn Harps, unbeaten in three games and lifted out of the relegation places by Friday's win at Cobh, are expecting their biggest crowd of the season for the visit of Derry City in the northwest derby.

"Derry are on a fine run but our confidence is high after our victory in Cobh," said the Harps manager, Paul Hegarty, as they look for a first win over Derry in nine years.

With James Gallagher, Jonathan Minnock, Cornelius Gallagher, Aaron Labonte and Marc Brolly still out injured, Harps are likely to be unchanged from their 3-1 win at St Colman's Park.

Derry, in third place, work off much the same squad as beat UCD 4-1 on Friday as Darren Quigley, Paddy McCourt, Seán Hargan and Sammy Morrow remain out.

Cork City welcome midfielder Joe Gamble back from suspension for the visit of injury-hit Shamrock Rovers to Turner's Cross. Defender Barry Ferguson injured his neck in Friday's 0-0 draw with Drogheda, but may be fit, according to the Rovers manager, Pat Scully.

Dessie Baker, Eric McGill, Chris Mulhall, John Martin, Robbie Creevy and Pat Flynn are still out.

"We're 11 points behind now . . . we probably can't afford to be dropping more points," says the Drogheda United manager, Paul Doolin, ahead of their clash with Sligo Rovers at United Park.

Tony Grant, injured in the first half of the drawn game at Shamrock Rovers, has joined Richie Baker, Declan O'Brien, Shane Barrett and goalkeeper Dan Connor on the injury list.

Alan Gough continues in goal for Chris O'Connor (hamstring) for Bray Wanderers at UCD. Ray Kenny is likely to start in place of central defender Kevin Doherty, who suffered a blow to the head in the 3-0 defeat to Cork on Friday.

UCD have goalkeeper Matt Gregg and midfielder Ronan Finn back but manager Pete Mahon waits for fitness reports on his captain, Conor Kenna, and left-back Ian Bermingham.

Tonight's Premier League

Cork City v Shamrock Rovers, Turner's Cross, 7.45pm

Drogheda United v Sligo Rovers, United Park, 7.45pm

Finn Harps v Derry City, Finn Park, 8pm

UCD v Bray Wanderers, UCD Bowl, 7.45pm

St Patrick's Athletic v Bohemians, Richmond Park, 8pm