Having said that tightening up at the back would be important if his side was to regain the title, Liam Buckley is still waiting to see improvement as Cork City come to Richmond Park.
Ian Bermingham, like Killian Brennan, is suspended while Brendan Clarke is still sidelined by an ankle injury but skipper Ger O’Brien returns from injury.
“It’s not been the best of starts,” says the right back, “but we’ve been a bit unlucky too; there was only a great finish between ourselves and Rovers . . . and then in Dundalk, well, you can’t really legislate for two red cards.
“Last week we showed a lot of character to come from 2-0 down but Cork will be a very tough game; John Caulfield’s improved a squad that was already very good and to replace Gearóid Morrissey with someone like Liam Miller was a masterstroke. It’s going to be interesting.”
City are without Josh O’Shea while Colin Healy, Michael McSweeney and Liam Kearney are all doubts for the trip to Inchicore.
League leading Dundalk’s flying start was reflected in the voting for last month’s player of the month with David McMillan’s finishing ahead of team-mates Daryl Horgan and Gary Rogers. All three are likely starters against Drogheda while Stephen O’Donnell is a possibility but Jake Kelly is a doubt.
After a disappointing start, Owen Heary has added Liam O'Brien and Joseph Ndo to his Sligo coaching staff but Rovers will be without Gavin Peers, Jeff Henderson, Keith Ward and Danny Ledwith for the trip to Galway where Tommy Dunne is missing Marc Ludden, Sam Oji and Andy O'Connell.
Stephen Dooley and Joshua Daniels will be missing for Derry City as Shamrock Rovers visit the Brandywell while Dean Jarvis is a major doubt. There will be wholesale changes on both sides in the night’s other top -flight game with Bohemians and Longford Town meeting for the second time this week. The Dubliners made nine changes for the EA Sports cup game, Longford seven and most of those rested will return. Keith Long, though, is without the suspended Derek Prendergast.
Fixtures (7.45pm unless stated)
Premier Division
Bohemians v Longford Town – Home: 4/6, Draw: 12/5, Away: 4/1.
Derry City v Shamrock Rovers – Home: 11/4, Draw: 23/10, Away: Evens.
Dundalk v Drogheda United – Home: 2/9, Draw: 5/1, Away: 11/1.
Galway United v Sligo Rovers – Home: 13/5, Draw: 9/4, Away: 21/10.
St Patrick’s Athletic v Cork City – Home: Evens, Draw: 23/10, Away: 11/4.
First Division
Waterford United v Cobh Ramblers – Home: 8/13, Draw: 5/2, Away: 4/1.
Cabinteely v UCD – Home: 4/1, Draw: 23/10, Away: 4/6.
Finn Harps v Athlone Town – Home: 6/4, Draw: 11/5, Away: 8/5.
Shelbourne v Wexford Youths – Home: 6/5, Draw: 9/4, Away: 2/1.
Betting courtesy of Paddy Power.
