Dundalk v UCD (Oriel Park, 7.45)

In an increasingly insecure domestic managerial environment, Jim McLaughlin, the most successful of his breed, could afford to joke about his own seemingly tenuous position as manager of Dundalk.

"Felix Healy beat me to the punch this week," said McLaughlin yesterday. "I didn't want to rob him of the glory!"

Dundalk prop up the Premier Division table without a win from any of their 12 competitive games this season. Having refuted claims that he had in fact threatened to resign after last week's 1-0 loss in Waterford, McLaughlin remains upbeat as he faces a very tricky assignment against UCD at Oriel Park tonight.

It scarcely gets any easier at the bottom as McLaughlin learned this week that David Hoey is out long term after being hospitalised with a virus. Peter Withnell, sent-off in Waterford, is also out tonight, with injury leaving Dundalk with barely 11 experienced players to pick from.

UCD continue without left-wingback, Robert McAuley, who hasn't recovered from a back strain, so Mick O'Donnell keeps his place. Tony McDonnell, on the bench last week, is in contention to start in central defence while striker Mick O'Byrne has had 'flu this week but should be fit.

"We've only taken one point from our four away games this season and have yet to score in any of them, so we'll be hoping to put that right tonight," said UCD manager, Theo Dunne.

Last two seasons: 1996/97: UCD 1 Dundalk 0, Dundalk 2 UCD 2, UCD 3 Dundalk 1. 1997/98: Dundalk 1 UCD 1, UCD 1 Dundalk 3, Dundalk 1 UCD 2.

Current league form: Dundalk: D D L L L; UCD: L L W L D.

Leading league scorers: Dundalk: Withnell 3; UCD: Bennis 3.

Referee: J Stacey (Athlone).

Betting: 6-4 Home; 6-4 away; 11-5 draw.