Shamrock Rovers' manager Roddy Collins hasn't held back in trying to rile Shelbourne ahead of their visit to Dalymount Park, telling his opposite number Pat Fenlon that he's tinkered a little too much with his champions in the close season.
"I didn't see why they had to bring in five new players to a team that had won two leagues in a row," he said.
Colin Hawkins is Shelbourne's chief concern with an ankle injury and will have a fitness test this morning. Injured pair, winger Bobby Ryan and striker Glen Fitzpatrick, remain sidelined for another week.
Bohemians visit Dublin rivals St Patrick's Athletic and St Patrick's will look for a much improved display following the 2-1 defeat at newly-promoted Bray Wanderers last week. Darragh Maguire is back from suspension along with Paul Donnelly and Keith Fahey while Gerard Rowe must prove his fitness on an ankle injury suffered in training.
Bohemians regroup after their draw with Rovers as defender Thomas Heary (shin) and striker Tony Grant (ankle) join Ken Oman (groin) in the treatment room and may be out for several weeks.
Cork manager Damien Richardson makes an enforced change up front for visit of Bray Wanderers due to Kevin Doyle's late call-up to the Ireland under-21 side.
Fitness checks are required on winger Liam Kearney (hand) and striker John O'Flynn (hip). Neale Fenn and Denis Behan come into the reckoning to start.
Defender Greg O'Halloran is available following a one-match ban.
The return from suspension of Stephen Fox should beef up Bray's attack as they attempt to consolidate their opening-day win.
Drogheda's manager Paul Doolin welcomes back leading scorer Declan O'Brien, Tony Bird, David Sullivan and close-season signing Damien Lynch following suspension for the trip to UCD. The students, buoyed by their 1-1 draw at Shelbourne, are also free of suspension with captain Tony McDonnell and Anthony Murphy set to return to their midfield.
Injuries are threatening to ruin Finn Harps' hopes of getting off to a decent start as they travel to Waterford United reeling from a 2-0 home defeat to Cork City last week. Willie Doyle is set for his competitive debut for Waterford.
