While a 10-match unbeaten league run may have St Patrick's Athletic level on points with Sligo Rovers at the top, Bohemians manager Aaron Callaghan insists his side won't lack belief when the sides meet at Dalymount Park tonight.
Bohemians followed up a resilient 1-1 draw at Shamrock Rovers in the league last Friday with a 4-2 defeat in extra-time of Bray Wanderers in the League Cup on Monday.
“Those last two results give us added confidence and self-belief,” said Callaghan. “But the mood in the squad was always good.”
Hindering Bohemians’ hopes, though, are injury and suspension ruling out captain Owen Heary and Keith Buckley respectfully.
Hamstring injuries exclude Pat Sullivan, Danny Ledwith and Mark Quigley from the Shamrock Rovers side for tonight’s other Dublin derby, with Shelbourne at Tallaght Stadium. Central defender Derek Foran is also a doubt for Rovers due to a foot injury.
Kevin Doherty, Shelbourne’s interim manager, has midfielder Robert Bayly back from suspension, but now has left back Jack Memery banned along with Brian Shortall, while Glenn Cronin and Paul Crowley remain out injured.
Niall Burdon, Adam Hanlon, Stephen Hurley, Dean Kelly, Sean Brennan and Philly Hughes require fitness tests.
Champions Sligo Rovers travel to Limerick without central defender Evan McMillan who may be out for five weeks following minor knee surgery. Gavin Peers and David Cawley return from suspension.
Suspended
Midfielder Jeffrey Judge is suspended for Limerick, who are also without injured club captain Pat Purcell, Robbie Williams, Steve McGann and Dominic Foley.
Manager Stuart Taylor also awaits fitness checks on goalkeeper Barry Ryan, defenders Brian O’Callaghan, Aaron Brown, Shaun Kelly and Shane Costelloe, as well as midfielder David O’Leary.
Defender Ryan McBride and midfielder Barry Molloy return from suspension for Derry City, though Ruaidhri Higgins, Paddy Kavanagh and Thomas Crawley are out injured, for the visit of Cork City to the Brandywell.
Cork have Darren Dennehy back from a ban but are without injured skipper Kevin Murray and fellow central defender Dan Murray. Striker Denis Behan is out with a knee injury.
