Shamrock Rovers will be without Conor Kenna for tonight’s game against Athlone Town with the defender ruled out by a hamstring problem but Sean O’Connor and Dean Kelly are available for the Dubliners again after coming through the midweek friendly against Liverpool without any problems.

Athlone will have their work cut out to build on the point they finally earned last time out and Keith Long will have to work without Seán Byrne (suspended) or injured pair Aidan Collins and Philly Gorman who are ruled out by shoulder and hamstring problems respectively.

Joseph Ndo joins the Sligo Rovers injury list for the visit of Bray Wanderers, meanwhile, with the midfielder joining Alan Keane, Gavin Peers and Raffaele Cretaro on the sidelines due to the calf strain picked up in the Setanta Cup final. Wanderers, who won the first meeting between the sides this season 1-0 and have kept five clean sheets in their last five league outings, travel without Jake Kelly, Shane O’Connor (both injured), Adam Mitchell and Niall Cooney (both suspended) but Rob Maloney returns having served a one match ban.

Former Republic of Ireland international Steven Reid is one of five players to have been released by Premier League outfit yesterday. “Zoltan (Gera, who was also let go) and Steven have been terrific professionals during their many years with us. They have been a real credit to the football club, both on and off the field. We know that Zoltan is looking to find another club while Steven, who is keen to carry on playing but is also doing his coaching badges, is considering his options.”