Preview: Sligo Rovers vs Bohemians

In a game originally scheduled for Saturday night, Bohemians travel to the North West hoping to quickly get over their defeat at home to St Pats last weekend. Sligo only have a point to show for their efforts to date - that came courtesy of a scoreless home draw with Champions Drogheda last Saturday night.

These two sides met just once at The Showgrounds last season - Sligo won by two goals to one in what was one of the games of the season.

This was Sean O'Connors first return to the Bit O Red since he left them before the end of the previous season. The Sligo board and fans weren't at all happy with the circumstances of his exit and a bumper crowd turned up on the night. Sligo took the lead through Matthew Judge but Bohs equalised just after the break with a Mark Rossiter penalty. Sligo manager Paul Cooke and his assistant Gerry Carr were both ordered to the dressing room for abusing the linesman and fourth official. Both sides spent the rest of the game going all out for the win and with two minutes of injury time already on the clock former Sligo favourite Liam Burns gave away a penalty when he up-ended Faz Kuduzovic. Kuduzovic took the spot kick himself and gave Sligo all three points. That win marked the start of a great run of results for Sligo that would put them in contention for a European spot - at least for a couple of weeks. Incidentally, the week previous to that game Bohs had played St Pats and won by two goals to nil.

Bohemians started their season off with a narrow one nil win over Galway at Terryland. They didnt exactly over impress but they kept things solid at the back and kept the ball well. At home to Pats in week two they were unable to come back from a masterful goal by Keith Fahey. Sligo went a goal up against St Pats in their first game but fell to pieces early in the second half and conceded three goals in a seven minute period. They were much better against Drogheda and may have deserved more than a point.

Pat Fenlon will have to plan without a number of players. Just this week Kevin Hunt broke a bone in his foot during training. He now faces up to eight weeks on the sidelines. Neale Fenn is also ruled out for the second week in succession. Midfielder Glenn Cronin will also play no part. He damaged his hamstring in the Galway game. Killian Brennan is suspended on account of the red card he picked up against Pats.

Conor Powell hasn't featured since Bohs last pre season friendly game against Shelbourne, however he has now resumed training and may well be ready for a return to action. Thomas Heary remains injured.

Gavin Peers was a doubt last week with a hamstring problem. He left the action against Drogheda seemingly complaining of the same problem however Sligo have reported an injury free squad ahead of the game. Steve Feeney has recovered from a groin strain - however it would be a surprise if he started. Alan Moore hasnt featured much lately. He is fit but is lacking match sharpness.

If Bohs are to be considered serious title contenders this is the type of game they should be returning from with three points. Defeat could see them six points of the pace already. Sligo on their day have the potential to be as good as any side in the league. They will give it their best but may struggle to breach a defence that looks just as mean as it was last season.

Kick off at The Showgrounds is at 8pm