Shamrock RVS v Shelbourne

Tony Cousins is the home side's main worry as they prepare to take on their landlords at Tolka Park this evening. The striker, who still hasn't missed a league match since arriving at Rovers, received seven stitches to a facial wound he picked up in last Sunday's match against Cork but should, possibly with the help of protective mask, be able to play.

Whatever happens, Jason Sherlock should return to the Rovers line-up with Brendan Markey also likely to start. Gino Brazil has recovered from an infection and should be another one to come in following the 3-0 defeat by Cork. However, Richie Purdy is still ruled out with a broken collarbone.

Shelbourne have everybody except Pat Scully, who is said to be a week away from full fitness, available and Dermot Keely must decide what, if any changes to make, after the 0-0 draw with Waterford last week.

He will probably make at least one change, although Keely insists he hasn't decided what the line-up will be. Tony McCarthy and Greg Costello play their last games before starting suspensions following their sendings off in Cork.

Last two seasons: 1997/98: Shelbourne 1 Rovers 1; Rovers 0 Shelbourne 2; Shelbourne 2 Rovers 1; 1998/99: Shelbourne 2 Rovers 2.

Recent league form: Rovers: L W W L L; Shelbourne: W W L W D.

Leading scorers: Rovers - Cousins (four), Sherlock (two); Shelbourne - Sheridan and Fenlon (three each).

Betting: Home: 15/8; Draw: 15/8; Away: 11/8.

Referee: J Feighery (Dublin).

St Patrick's Ath v Derry City

St Patrick's captain Eddie Gormley seems certain to miss almost two months of first team action due to impending suspensions, the midfielder is also doubtful for this evening's home game against Derry City.

Like central defender Stephen McGuinness, Gormley picked up a hamstring injury in last week's win over Bray and, like McGuinness, he will face a late test before tonight's game. Derry manager Kevin Mahon would probably be happy to hear that Gormley is commencing his enforced rest a week early as he picked out the talented midfielder as one of Shelbourne's key players. "Losing him is going to be a real blow over the next while," said Mahon. "But it might end up being for a problem for us on Friday because I'm sure he'll be really fired up for his last game before such a long suspension."

Mahon has a full panel of players available but says he may make personnel changes as a result of looking to tinker with the tactics. "We're on a bit of a high at the moment so the objective will remain the same. We're not going to Dublin looking for a point, we're going there looking to win."

Last two seasons: 1997/98: St Patrick's Ath 0 Derry 0; Derry 1 St Patrick's Ath 1; St Patrick's Ath 1 Derry 0; 98/99: Derry 0 St Patrick's Ath 1.

Recent league form: St Patrick's Ath: W W L W W; Derry: L D W D W.

Leading scorers: St Patrick's Ath - Molloy (eight), Gilzean (seven); Derry - Coyle and McHugh (four each).

Betting: Home: 4/7, Draw: 5/2, Away: 4/1.

Referee: G Perry (Dublin).

First Division

There are two big games in the First Division this evening with leaders Longford travelling to Galway in the hope of further denting the home side's campaign for one of the automatic promotion places, while Kilkenny City will aim to end Drogheda's six-match unbeaten run.

City will at least be boosted by the fact that they produced their best result of the season last week when, having twice come from behind, they beat Galway 4-2 at Buckley Park.

"It was pleasing," says Kilkenny manager Alfie Hale, who had a number of new players involved in the game, "because, possibly for the first time this season, I thought we had a bit of luck, and the tiredness that has been in our game finally seemed to go in the second half.

Brendan Rea, having successfully returned from injury last week will start again this evening but Richie Hale, who is suffering from a heavy cold, may have to be replaced in the starting line-up by Aidan Cooney. New boys, Gerry Goodwin and Albert Healy, both of whom scored on their debuts last week, are likely to retain their places.

Longford have some problems with suspensions for the visit to Terryland Park which may cheer up Don O'Riordan ahead of what could become his side's sixth league game without a win.

"We know that we have to win this because we can't afford to have a gap like this develop at this stage of the season," says O'Riordan. "We'll look at changing things around because the run we're on has just got a bit silly at this stage. However, we have everybody available so at least we have choices."

Betting courtesy of Paddy Power