Premier Division - Tomorrow

Derry City v Bray Wanderers (Brandywell, 3.15)

DERRY wait on Liam Coyle who is still troubled by the ankle knock that forced his half-time withdrawal from last week's win in Cork. Sean Hargan is also struggling with a thigh strain sustained in the same match. Both are doubtful and will require fitness tests before the game.

"It's important that we now build on our last two results," said Derry manager, Kevin Mahon. "Our confidence is very good and we must maintain that. Having taken four points from the top two in the last two games the players know they are as good as any one in the league."

Cliftonville and Coleriane are reputedly interested in transfer-listed defender Stuart Gauld.

Bray have no major additional injury problems following last week's scoreless draw with Shamrock Rovers. John Ryan is recovering slowly fom a groin strain and may make the squad. Mick Doohan and Kieran O'Brien, who both shipped knocks against Rovers, are expected to be okay to play with O'Brien possibly needing a late fitness test.

Last two seasons: 1997/98: Did not meet; 1998/99: Derry City 5 Bray Wanderers 1, Bray Wanderers 0 Derry City 1.

Current league form: Derry City: WWDDW; Bray Wanderers: DDDLD.

Leading league scorers: Derry City: Coyle (seven); Bray Wanderers: Byrne (five).

Betting: Home: 4/7; Draw; 12/5; Away: 9/2.

Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).

UCD v Sligo Rovers (Belfield, 3.15)

UCD will want to purge the memory of last week's poor showing in losing to Shelbourne as they strive for a top half finish in the table. "It was our worst display in a good while and the only match this season that we can honestly say we didn't deserve anything from," said UCD manager, Theo Dunne.

Dunne is delighted for Ciaran Martyn who is in Irish youth team manager Brian Kerr's panel for Tuesday week's UEFA Under-18 play-off first-leg with Northern Ireland in Belfast. Central defender Clive Delaney, whom Dunne rates highly, is on standby.

Delaney, however, is suspended tomorrow along with Tony McDonnell meaning a reshuffle in the UCD defence.

Alan Mahon may move across from left-back with Graham Brett providing another option.

Sligo are without Neil Ogden who is banned while Conor O'Grady, also in Kerr's youth squad, played in an Irish Schools game yesterday and may not start.

Sligo manager Nicky Reid is also without injured trio Steve Birks (ankle), Marcus Hallows (ankle) and Matt Hare (groin).

"Beating Bohemains last week was a big boost," said Reid. "We want something from Belfield tomorrow and will hope to beat Waterford at home in our next league game to pull us away from the bottom three places."

Last two seasons: 1997/98: UCD 1 Sligo Rovers 1, Sligo Rovers 1 UCD 2, UCD 5 Sligo Rovers 1; 1998/99: UCD 2 Sligo Rovers 0, Sligo Rovers 0 UCD 1.

Current league form: Sligo Rovers: LDDLW; UCD: LLDWL.

Leading league scorers: Sligo Rovers: Hallows (seven); UCD: O'Byrne (six).

Betting: Home: 5/6; Draw: 9/4; Away: 11/4.

Referee: J Stacey (Athlone).

First Division

DROGHEDA United's manager Martin Lawlor wants his players to put last week's "disaster" in Galway behind them and maintain their promotion push against freefalling Cobh Ramblers at United Park tonight.

Leaders Drogheda had three players sent-off, one after the game, when losing 2-1 at Terryland Park.

"Our performance was fine, it was just the result and how it came about that was a total disaster," said Lawlor. "But those things can happen over the course of a season. We just have to get on with trying to win promotion."

Lawlor is without the suspended Maritn Beggs while Gerry Boyle (ankle) and Darren O'keeffe (shoulder) are struggling to be fit.

Cobh, who've slumped from second to fifth on the back of two heavy defeats, are worse off.

Goalkeeper Alan O'Shea is still out with a shoulder injury while Willie Byrne (ankle), skipper John Murphy (shin) and Liam O'Connor (ankle) are all very doubtful.

Strikers Sean Francis and Tony Izzi are expected to play despite respective knee and groin complaints. Assistant manager Phil Long comes into defence with Pat Maher returning after a three-week lay-off.

Unchanged Kilkenny City will be hoping to extend their seven-match unbeaten run and consolidate third place at home to Limerick FC while fourth placed Longford Town's revival can continue when they meet Athlone Town at Strokestown Road.

Athlone manager Joey Malone has strongly refuted that the club is in financial difficulty. "We did have a cash flow problem after Christmas when a couple of home games were postponed, but it has been sorted out and player morale is fine," said Malone.

Fixtures (tonight): Drogheda United v Cobh Ramblers, Kilkenny City v Limerick FC, Longford Town v Athlone Town.