FAI Premier division: Derry City manager Gavin Dykes hopes to have a close-to-full-strength squad for the visit of Drogheda United to the Brandywell tonight, although the new man will have to cope without Sean Hargan and Kevin Deery, both of whom are ruled out by suspension.

Gary Beckett and Peter Hutton look set to shake off minor injuries to play in a game that, given the form of the two sides, is effectively a six-pointer, and Dykes, whose celebrates his 36th birthday today, insists that there is more than enough talent available to him to keep City in the Premier Division beyond the end of the season.

"You may not win leagues with the players we have here right now," he says, "but we have plenty of good lads who have been very positive over the last few days about getting out of the situation they find themselves in at the moment.

"I've made it clear that the senior players at the club will have a strong say in the way things are done; Liam Coyle is going to contribute a good deal as is Eamon Doherty, the club captain, but everyone has their part to play.

"Between us I'm confident that we can turn the situation around and then move forward together."

Paul Doolin, still looking for his first win since taking over at United and still smarting from last week's 5-0 defeat by Longford, will be without Declan O'Brien (stomach muscle) for the game.

In his absence Ciaran Quinn may start up front alongside Andy Myler, although given the scale of last week's loss there may a few unforced changes too.