Dundalk v Monaghan United (Oriel Park, 7.45)

Dundalk, with David Crawley and Donal Broughan out injured, field the side that finished at the Brandywell last Thursday when they came from behind to earn a creditable draw.

But, with just one victory in their last 11 games, it is wins that third-bottom Dundalk need and manager Martin Murray is stressing the importance of doing just that in their next two games, with UCD also visiting Oriel Park next week. "This is an important part of the season," said Murray. "We haven't had two successive wins and that's been an albatross around our necks."

Monaghan boss Bobby Browne has confirmed that he was interviewed for the vacant managerial post at Longford Town last Saturday and is awaiting developments. For the moment he must focus on building on last Sunday's 2-2 home draw with Cork City.

Defender Mick Scully is fit again but Browne waits on midfielders Derek McGrath (ankle injury) and Ashley White (calf) while leading scorer Trevor Vaughan is also a doubt having had a minor operation on a toe last week.

Last two seasons: 2000/2001 (First Division): Dundalk 2 Monaghan United 0, Monaghan United1 Dundalk 1, Dundalk 1 Monaghan United 0, Monaghan United 4 Dundalk 0; 2001/2002: Monaghan United 1 Dundalk 0.

Current league form: Dundalk: DDLLD; Monaghan United: LDLLD.

Leading league scorers: Dundalk: Robinson 4 ; Monaghan United: Vaughan 5.

Referee: D. Hancock (Dublin)

Betting: Home: 2/5; draw: 11/4; away: 6/1.