SSE Airtricity League Premier Division: Derry City v Sligo Rovers (Friday, 7.45pm, live on RTÉ2)
DERRY City manager Ruaidhrí Higgins is hoping his injury-hit squad can secure their fourth league victory of the season when they face Sligo Rovers at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium tonight.
City go into the encounter, which will be shown live on RTÉ2, with Cameron Dummigan, Cameron McJannet, Michael Duffy, Adam O’Reilly and Mark Connolly all on the treatment table.
In fact the Derry boss conceded they didn’t receive good news on Connolly’s hamstring scan and the big centre-back is likely to be out for a matter of weeks.
“We didn’t get brilliant news on Mark, but until we get a full review from the specialist we won’t be able to put a time frame on him, but it’s not ideal,” he said.
“Most of the lads who have been out injured are very close to returning and the players who are fit are in brilliant physical condition - people saw how powerful we looked in the second half against Dundalk last week and we need more of the same going forward.”
John Russell’s side come to Foyleside after a decent start to the season having picked up eight points from their opening five games and in striker Max Mata they have a player who, along with City’s Jordan McEneff and Cork City’s Ruairi Keating, has netted four goals this campaign - and Higgins is only too aware of the New Zealander’s threat.
“Mata is a good player and they’ve good players in wide areas,” insisted manager Higgins (left).
“They signed (Fabrice) Hartmann on loan from RB Leipzig - and he looks like a real handful - and (Will) Fitzgerald on the other side.
“They’ve got two good attacking full-backs and then they’ve players who can control the game in midfield, so we know what they’re about, we know the quality that they have, but they’ll be very aware of our threats as well.”
Elsewhere, last season’s champions Shamrock Rovers will be hoping to pick up their first win of the season, at the sixth time of asking, when they host St Patrick’s Athletic in Tallaght.
Tim Clancy’s side have drawn four of their first five fixtures, as well as losing 2-1 at home to Derry two weeks ago. Cork City host Shelbourne at Turner’s Cross.
Cork have been the league’s great entertainers to this point, with the most goals scored - 11 - and joint most conceded - 10.
Finally, it’s a top v bottom clash at Dalymount Park, as league leaders Bohemians host strugglers UCD.
In the First Division, table toppers Galway United will be aiming for their fifth victory in a row when they face second placed Cobh Ramblers.
RESULTS
Drogheda 0 Dundalk 1
FIXTURES
Friday (7.45pm unless stated)
Bohemians v UCD
Cork City v Shelbourne (5pm)
Derry City v Sligo Rovers
Shamrock Rovers v St Patrick’s Athletic (5pm)
