Shamrock Rovers' manager Mick Byrne will decide this morning whether the injury sustained by Tony Cousins in Sunday's game with Sligo is bad enough to force him into the market for a striker. Cousins pulled up with what appeared to be a hamstring problem during the game which would suggest a lay-off of around six weeks, but yesterday Byrne said that there was a possibility the problem was originating from the player's back, in which case the recovery period would be shorter.

Derry City's woes have been compounded with the news that goalkeeper Tony O'Dowd has been sidelined for six weeks after fracturing a knuckle in his right hand late in the game against Shelbourne.

To make matters worse, cover goalkeeper Declan Devine was released from his contract last weekend.

Felix Healy is expected to bring over an inexperienced goalkeeper from Britain on loan.