National LeagueBohemians should be closer to full strength this evening as they look to build on Monday's solid start to the campaign with another win, over Waterford United.
Stephen Kenny, whose side easily got the better of their opponents in the second half of an entertaining 2-0 win against Longford at Flancare Park, will have Ken Oman, Bobby Ryan and Damien Lynch back from suspension tonight, though Stephen Caffrey's sending off earlier in the week leaves a space to be filled in central midfield.
"We have a few options," says Kenny, "although both Fergal Harkin and Thomas Morgan are carrying knocks and mightn't be completely right. If they are okay then either of them could go in there, while Stephen Rice, who did well after coming on on Monday, is another possibility."
Kenny watched Waterford beat Drogheda 2-1 last weekend at the RSC and was impressed with their performance for new manager Alan Reynolds.
"They were good, particularly up front, where Daryl Murphy and Willie Bruton looked a good combination. They'll be a tough proposition. Alan will have them playing for him but if we can maintain the sort of form we showed in Longford then we'd be hopeful enough," he said.
Just a week into his reign at United, Reynolds says a bout of flu that has gone around the squad has restricted his options.
"Stephen Mulcahy and Willie Bruton look to be out; they're just sick and there's very little we can do about it. John Frost and David Breen haven't been great either and we'll see how they are before the kick-off," he said. John Hayes, Alan Carey and PJ Brandon are among those on stand-by.
Cork City make their first of many visits this year to Dublin when they take on Shamrock Rovers this evening at Richmond Park (kick-off 7 p.m.). Pat Dolan returns to familiar ground without either Michael Nwanko or Stephen O'Flynn, who are two and five weeks respectively from fitness. Greg O'Halloran, linked this week with a move to St Patrick's Athletic, Rovers or Waterford, looks set to be on the bench but Brendan Sweeney returns from suspension and the former Limerick defender may make his debut for the visitors.
Rovers, meanwhile, have Trevor Croly available, also after suspension, and the former St Patrick's right back looks certain to start. Stephen Grant is a doubt, however, having strained his back during last week's 1-0 defeat by Shelbourne.
At United Park, St Patrick's Athletic manager Eamonn Collins will have up to six additional bodies to choose from compared to last Friday, when a young side drew 1-1 with Derry City.
Mark Casey is now registered and could make his debut while Con Blatsis, whose international clearance the club was hoping would come through by last night, may have to wait a week or two before playing as he is carrying a hamstring strain.
For the first but surely not the last time this season Paul Osam is a doubt due to a swollen knee but Kharim El Khebir and Keith Dunne are likely to feature after missing out last weekend.
Drogheda boss Paul Doolinhas Stephen Gray and Declan O'Brien back from injury and suspension respectively while Aidan Lynch is hoping to shake off a calf strain.
"Last week was a little disappointing because we had a couple of chances to take something out of the game," says Doolin, "but with so many new faces I didn't expect everything to be exactly flowing from the word go, so the main thing this week will be to produce some improvement."
