The home side come into this match as the form team in the Premier Division and a win this evening would put them top for the first time since they snatched the league title on the last day of the 1994-95 season.

The engineer of their current revival, Jim McLaughlin, has signed 23-year-old French midfielder Stephane Jauny, who has previously been with Shelbourne, in time to play tonight, while Peter Withnell may have recovered sufficiently from a groin strain to start as well.

If the striker is fit, then Ray McCoy, who has done so well since joining the club a couple of weeks ago, may drop back into midfield with David Hoey the one likely to lose out.

United, still looking for their first league win of the season, have also been looking to strengthen their side and three new signings may make their debuts this evening. Goalkeeper Gareth Byrne, who joined from St Patrick's Athletic on Wednesday, central defender James Impey, signed on a month's loan from Aston Villa, and Michael Harte, a brother of Ian and a regular goal scorer at the club before moving north, are all in contention to start, although manager Martin Lawlor will not make a final decision about his line-up until shortly before kick-off.

"All of them will be in the squad and a couple of them could well end up being involved, but the main thing is that in the longer term, these players all give me another few options," said Lawlor.

Last season: Did not play.

Recent league form: Dundalk DWWWW, Drogheda LLLDL.

Leading scorers: Dundalk - Byrne and Melvin (four apiece), Drogheda - N Reid (two).

Betting: Home: 1/2, Draw: 9/4, Away: 13/2.

Referee: G Perry (Dublin).