Preview: Bray Wanderers vs Derry City

Derry City travel to Bray Wanderers on Friday night as they bid to return to the top of the table. Derry were knocked off their perch last Friday night.

Having done well to end St. Patrick's Athletic's unbeaten record, and go top at the same time, Derry were top of the table going into last Friday's matches. Derry spurned the chance to consolidate their position as they could only draw 0-0 with Sligo Rovers and, with Pats winning 3-0 away to Finn Harps, they returned to second place.

Bray Wanderers have turned the corner in recent weeks. After failing to score in their first four league games, they finally hit the back of the net against Harps two weeks ago and are now unbeaten in two games, having won that game and then drawn 1-1 away to Bohemians last week.

Going into Friday’s game, Bray will be without the suspended Gary McCabe. The winger was sent off against Shamrock Rovers in March and is completing his two-match ban. Bray have doubts over the fitness of three players: Mark Duggan suffered a groin strain last week at Bohs, Andrei Georgescu has missed Bray’s last two games with a hip problem and Emeika Onwubiko is struggling with an ankle injury.

Speaking after last Friday’s game, Wanderers manager Eddie Gormley said: “We played very well last Friday night and we deserved the three points but a poor decision cost us dearly, but I can’t complain about the players’ performance.” Looking forward to Friday’s game, he said: “I won’t complain if I get another performance like that.”

Derry’s manager Stephen Kenny may have to make some changes to the side following their 1-1 draw with Glentoran in Tuesday night’s Setanta Cup clash. Former Bray skipper Clive Delaney and striker Mark Farren will both have to undergo fitness tests before Friday’s match. Kenny has named under-21 player Martin Hamilton in the squad for the trip to Bray.

Anthony Buttimer will referee the match at the Carlisle Grounds. Kick-off is at 7.45pm.