WITH LEADERS Bohemians not in league action until Tuesday due to their Intertoto Cup game with Rhyl tomorrow, a window of opportunity opens for St Patrick's Athletic to return to the top of the table - albeit on goal difference - with victory over Bray Wanderers at Richmond Park tonight.
A comfortable 3-0 win at the Carlisle Grounds earlier in the season would suggest it's a challenge well within St Patrick's capabilities, but injuries, particularly in defence, continue to frustrate manager John McDonnell.
Joe O'Cearuill, David Partridge and Stephen Paisley are sidelined tonight with injuries, while fellow defender Damien Lynch is suspended.
Cobh manager Eddie Gormley waits on captain Colm Tresson who's been out for three weeks with a hamstring strain, while defender Derek Foran, injured anyway, is ineligible as he's on loan from St Patrick's. Chris O'Connor returns in goal after a hamstring problem.
Champions Drogheda United can move to within a point of third-placed Derry City if they can avenge a 2-0 defeat at the Brandywell earlier in the season when the sides meet at United Park.
"We've been creating chances and up until recently we just hadn't been putting them away," said Drogheda manager Paul Doolin, who has right back Brian Shelley fully fit.
Drogheda remain without injured goalkeeper Dan Connor. Club captain Declan O'Brien, Shane Barrett, Shane Robinson and Paul Keegan also remain out injured.
With the distraction of Paddy McCourt's transfer over following his move last night to Celtic, Derry can concentrate on getting back on track in the league following their losing a 2-0 lead against Cork City at home last time out. Goalkeeper Darren Quigley is manager Stephen Kenny's only absentee.
Revitalised following that big 3-2 win at the Brandywell, Cork City are without suspended midfielder George O'Callaghan for the Munster derby with Cobh Ramblers at Turner's Cross.
Suspensions to defender Kevin Murray and striker Kieran O'Reilly won't help Cobh tonight, nor does the fact that manager Stephen Henderson starts a four-match dugout ban.
Though midfielder John Martin's season looks over as he faces surgery on a hip injury, the break has helped ease Shamrock Rovers' other injury problems following their FAI Cup win over Sligo - their first in any competition since beating Galway United 2-0 in the league back in March.
Manager Pat Scully has left-back Pat Flynn back from suspension for the visit of Galway to Tolka Park tonight.
Alan Keane is set to start at left-back for bottom of the table Galway as Marc McCulloch is out with a hip injury and Wes Charles is away on international duty with St Vincent and the Grenadines. Midfielder Gary Deegan returns from suspension.
Tonight's Fixtures
(7.45 unless stated)
LEAGUE OF IRELAND - Premier Division: Cork City v Cobh Ramblers; Drogheda Utd v Derry City; St Patrick's Ath v Bray Wanderers; Shamrock Rovers v Galway Utd (8.0). First Division: Limerick 37 v Athlone Town; Waterford Utd v Dundalk; Wexford Youths v Monaghan Utd (8.0).
