Derry City -v- Dundalk

DERRY CITY

Declan Devine may be down to as few as 12 fit players as his injury ravaged squad face Dundalk at the Brandywell on Friday evening.

Derry will be in buoyant form after their 3-0 victory over Shamrock Rovers on Monday evening but it has come at a cost with Simon Madden and Stephen McLaughlin both picking up knocks in Tallaght, though they will be given every chance to make the panel.

With Stewart Greacen(knee), Owen Morrison(calf), Rory Patterson(foot) and Rhuadhri Higgins(knee) already ruled out and Shane McEleney and Matthew Crossan facing late fitness tests, Devine doesn't have his sorrows to seek on the selection front.

The Derry supremo mused, "We have a difficult task ahead of us this Friday, Dundalk will be looking to restore some pride after their defeat in Tallaght last week and will come into this game with nothing to lose. I know Sean McCaffrey well and I know he will have done his homework.

"We have seen teams come here in the past and make it difficult for us and I expect Dundalk to be no different. For ourselves we will have to get up to the same level of performance that we showed against Shamrock Rovers on Monday night, I feel that if we play to that high level we will get a positive result. I didn't foresee the injuries we would have but I have no problems giving the youngsters their chance".

DUNDALK

Sean McCaffrey will be hoping to make his sides humiliating defeat to Shamrock Rovers last week a distant memory as he brings the Lilywhites to the Brandywell on Friday night.

He will do so however without defender Derek Foran who picked up a back injury against the champions. Mark Griffin will also play no part as he continues to recover from a groin injury. Captain Chris Shields is available as his impending suspension doesn't come into effect until next week.

Nathan Murphy will return after sitting out four games with a toe injury and Eoghan Osbourne will make the panel after a year on the sideline. It is in front of goal where the Co. Louth side are suffering the most at the moment, indeed they have only hit the net twice in their first seven games and have yet to register an away goal.

McCaffrey said, "I'm not going to worry about it. We'll keep working at it. I think we just have a wee mental barrier at the moment of actually putting the ball in the net."

Referee: Damien Hancock.

MATCH STATS

Dundalk have only scored in one league game this season, netting twice when defeating UCD.

Derry City remain undefeated in all competitions at the Brandywell this season.

Mark Farren is only two goals away from equalling the club scoring record of 112 goals set by Liam Coyle.

BETTING
Derry City 2/5; Draw 3/1; Dundalk 15/2.

PREDICTION

3-0 to Derry City. Dundalks' early season away day woes to continue.

Derry City Injured: Stewart Greacen (knee), Owen Morrison (calf), Rory Patterson (foot), Rhuadhri Higgins (leg).

Derry City Doubtful: Simon Madden (leg), Stephen McLaughlin (hamstring), Shane McEleney (ankle), Matthew Crossan (leg).

Derry City suspended: None.

Dundalk Injured: Derek Foran (back), Mark Griffin (groin).

Dundalk Suspended: None.