League Preview: Sligo Rovers - v - Derry City

SLIGO ROVERS

The Bit O’Red could move to within three points of Derry City if they manage to get the win against the Candystripes on Saturday evening.

Rovers employed Gerard Lyttle as their manager on Friday after Dave Robertson was sacked by the club earlier this month.

Their caretaker boss Declan McIntyre will remain in charge for Saturday's League of Ireland game against Derry City with Lyttle's first game at the helm set for next Friday away to Drogheda United.

John Russell is suspended following his red card against Shamrock Rovers last week. The Bit O’Red are set to have a full strength squad apart from Russell. 

Speaking ahead of the game McIntyre said that he "couldn't have asked any more of the players in Tallaght. They battled all night and we were in the game throughout despite having 10 men for so much of it.

“We utilised the squad for the EA Sports Cup game with Finn Harps and getting through was an important win for us. It was a young team and they grew into the game. Many of those players deserved the chance they received that night and will be better for it.

"Derry have quality players at their disposal and they will test us without a doubt. They will feel they've been unlucky in some of their defeats recently.

“It's a chance for us to put more points on the board and I think it'll be another close game like last week. But we have good players in our ranks too. “We've had a good week preparing for the game and it's a challenge we're looking forward to."

DERRY CITY

The Candystripes are having their worst run of results under Kenny Shiels since he took over at the club but he is confident that his young side will learn from the bad run of form they are currently under.

“We are light on experienced players but the young ones are learning all the time," said Shiels.

"The chairman has backed me 100% in my decision to build a club, but within that there are risks. In the recent defeats we have had, the players have learned so much.

"We are not going to benefit from that straight away, but over the next year or so they will benefit from this experience."

Derry’s defeat to Finn Harps in the league wouldn’t have been good for confidence, but Shiels was more positive after crashing out of the EA Sports Cup to Galway United on Monday night.

"We played well and I was pleased with the performance. Now we have to achieve a result to match that," Shiels added.

"We have to fight to get ourselves up the league table. Sligo are a very good team on their own pitch and we have to go there with heart and conviction."

Referee: Rob Rogers.

MATCH FACTS

Both teams took points off each other last season and there was one draw out of the three games they played.

Derry City could move up to fourth place with a win, with two games in hand – the Candystripes are set for league action against Limerick in Maginn Park next Tuesday.

Sligo Rovers have only lost once at home in five games in all competitions this season.

BETTING

Sligo Rovers 5/2; Draw; 9/4; Derry City 11/10

Sligo Rovers

Injured: None

Doubtful: None

Suspended: John Russell

Derry City

Injured: Rory Patterson

Doubtful: Barry McNamee

Suspended: None