Saturday

Derry City v Bray Wanderers (The Brandywell, 7.30)

City attempted to have last week's match with Sligo called off at the last minute because of the number of injury and 'flu casualties but Bray may actually outdo them in this department for the first match of their cup defence. Jason Byrne (ankle) looks likely to miss out and could be joined on the sidelines by Bob McKeever, Stephen Fox, Kieran O'Brien, Danny Larkin, Frankie Larkin and Paul Keegan.

Sean Hargan and Eamonn Doherty are back from suspension for Derry and Peter Hutton is also expected to play.

Darren Kelly, Gary Beckett and David Platt are causing Kevin Mahon a little concern with the 'flu bug.

Last five years: City: W QF, RU, R2, QF; Wanderers: R1, R1, QF, R1, W.

Scheduled replay: Jan 12th at the Carlisle Grounds (2.00).

Betting: Home: 4/5, Draw: 9/4, Away: 11/4.

Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).

Kilkenny City v Dundalk (Buckley Park, 7.30)

Tom McNulty, in dispute with manager Terry Eviston, misses the trip to Kilkenny through suspension anyway while John White has knee ligament trouble and goalkeeper John Connolly is cup-tied.

However, Padraig Gallogley and Paul Campbell return while Paul Whelan, who played in the win over Longford last weekend despite a groin strain, should feature again tonight.

Kilkenny were missing four against Bray last week when Brendan Rea, Trevor Vaughan, Rory Ginty and Brian Jordan were all laid up. Rea is definitely out again with a knee injury while the others face late fitness tests and Brian Flood, who has been receiving treatment for a shoulder injury all week, is hopeful of making it.

Last five years: City: R1, R2, R1, R1, QF; Dundalk: QF, R1, R2, R2, R2.

Scheduled replay: Jan 12th at Oriel Park (7.30).

Betting: Home: 6/4, Draw: 11/5, Away: 6/4.

Referee: T Tully (Cork).

Finn Harps v Home Farm Fingal (Finn Park, 7.45)

Harps' Johnny Kenny is ruled out by an ankle problem but James Mulligan's hamstring looks to be on the mend and the transfer-listed striker will probably start.

The visitors have plenty to worry about with Kevin Brady's return after a minor groin problem somewhat overshadowed by the list of players unlikely to be available; Derek Gill (suspended), Chris Malone (doubtful with hamstring) and Mark Mulraney cup-tied.

Last five years: Harps: R1, QF, R1, SF, RU; Home Farm: R2, R2, R2, R2, R2.

Scheduled replay: Jan 11th at Whitehall (7.30).

Betting: Home: 1/3, Draw: 3/1, Away: 7/1.

Referee: P Whelan (Dublin).

Longford Town v Waterford United (Strokestown Road, 7.30)

Stephen O'Brien (back) is out for Longford, as is Stephen Kelly (hernia) and Wesley Byrne (hamstring). Paul Perth broke his toe against Dundalk and will be out for four weeks while his brother, Vinny, is suspended. Enda Kenny had the 'flu on Monday but may return this evening while Keith O'Connor picked up a hip injury in the league defeat but should be okay.

For the Premier Division side David Whittle (hamstring) and John Frost (knee ligaments) are both out after picking up problems in Monday's game at Tolka Park. Up front Stephen Grant is expected to return.

Last five years: Longford: R2, R1, R1, QF, R1; Waterford: R1, R2, SF, R1, R1.

Scheduled replay: Jan 11th at the RSC (7.45).

Betting: Home: 6/4, Draw: 11/5, Away: 6/4.

Referee: J Stacey (Athlone).

Sligo Rovers v Bluebell United (The Showgrounds, 7.30)

Rovers' Sean Flannery and Jim Sheridan are suspended for the visit of Bluebell, who may be dealt a serious blow by the expected absence of Darren Nolan, the club captain who has been out with a thigh strain for the last seven weeks. However, veteran Ken Gibbons is optimistic about his side's chances.

Last five years: Rovers: SF, SF, R2, QF, QF; United: QF, DNQ, DNQ, DNQ, DNQ.

Scheduled replay: Jan 11th at Capco Park (2.00).

Betting: Home: 1/3, Draw: 3/1, Away: 7/1.

Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).

Sunday

Cobh Ramblers v Bohemians (St Colman's Park, 3.00)

Keith Dalton and Michael Stapleton have the 'flu for the home side while Liam O'Connor (hamstring) and Willie Byrne (calf strain) are also doubtful.

For Bohemians there is only the loss of Avery John (international duty) to concern Roddy Collins. In fact, there is good news with Jamie Harris back from suspension and Wayne Russell fit.

Last five years: Ramblers: R1, R1, R1, R2, R2; Bohemians: SF, SF, SF, R1, R2.

Scheduled replay: Jan 11th at Dalymount Park (7.30).

Betting: Home: 7/2, Draw: 12/5, Away: 4/6.

Referee: R O'Hanlon (Waterford).

Clonmel Town v Rockmount (Dr Pat O'Callaghan Park, 2.00)

Glen Conway ('flu) and Marky Prendergast (thigh) are the two main worries for the home side.

Will probably need young striker Alan Moroney (who has attracted interest from both Kilkenny and Cork City) to be firing on all cylinders.

Defenders Jason Lynch and Paul O'Brien, midfielder Damien Martin and striker Thomas Long are all expected to be available again for the visitors after missing the club's last outing.

Last five years: Clonmel: First time to reach this stage; Rockmount: DNQ, DNQ, R2, R1, R1.

Scheduled replay: Jan 16th at Rockmount Park (2.00).

Betting: Home: 5/4, Draw: 9/4, Away: 7/4.

Referee: J Casey (Waterford).

Fairview Rangers v College Corinthians (The Fairgreen, 2.00)

Another intriguing contest between two non league sides with Fairview, the club that have dominated the Junior cup in recent seasons, coming up against a strong intermediate side that has travelled this road before.

The Limerick team's main worry is former Derry City striker Barry Ryan who is doubtful with a hamstring.

Corinthians, meanwhile, might have Kevin Buckley back fit to challenge Cork senior footballer Eric Barrett for the goalkeeping jersey.

Left full Andrew Monaghan (calf) is 5050, Ronald Collins (knee) better than that and Ollie Nagle (groin) almost certain to play. Another certain to start is Dave Morley, a brother of Pat, who has been the main goalscorer in recent seasons.

Last five years: Fairview: First time to reach this stage; Corinthians: R2, DNQ, DNQ, R1, DNQ.

Scheduled replay: Jan 16th at Corinthians Park (10.45).

Betting: Home: 4/6, Draw: 12/5, Away: 100/30.

Referee: F Swan (Tipperary).

Monaghan United v UCD (Gortakeegan, 3.15).

With goalkeeper Eddie van Boxtel out of favour with new boss Bobby Browne, John Grace is likely to come in while another recent arrival, Val Keenan, could figure for the home side.

James O'callaghan is available again after suspension and Paul Hall is fit again leaving a United manager with a full squad to choose from for the first time in quite a while.

UCD manager Martin Moran isn't so lucky and if Barry Ryan doesn't recover from the 'flu in time the visitors are likely to have serious problems in the goalkeeping department. Ryan's deputy, Paddy O'Leary, has pneumonia, leaving Moran to ponder which of his outfield players with Gaelic football experience to slot between the posts (Ken Kilmurray looks to be the frontrunner). Otherwise Clive Delaney is back from suspension but Eamon McLoughlin has missed training all week with 'flu.

Last five years: United: R2, R1, R1, R1, R1; UCD: R1, R1, R1, QF, R2.

Scheduled replay: 7.30 on Jan 11th at Belfield Park.

Betting: Home: 4/1, Draw: 5/2, Away: 4/7.

Referee: S Devanney (Donegal).

St Mochtas v Evergreen (Porterstown Road, 2.00)

Like the rest of the country, the visitors have had their problems over the holiday period with the bug but seem to be over the worst of it and Billy Walsh expects to bring a full panel with him tomorrow.

With three junior internationals (Walsh himself, 20 year-old goalkeeper Pat Holden and Brendan Dalton) there is a fair bit of quality in the visiting team and the manager's brother, Ollie, is likely to bear the brunt of the responsibility for getting the necessary goals.

St Mochtas, meanwhile, are also free of any problems and the recent form of striking partnership Ciaran Fitzpatrick and club captain Brian Donovan is giving coach Eamon Balfe some cause for optimism.

Given that the club is only in Division 1A of the Leinster Senior League, a win here would represent quite a coup for the home side although Balfe is viewing the whole thing as a bit of an adventure for his players.

Last five years: St Mochtas: First time to reach stage; Evergreen: First time to reach this stage.

Scheduled replay: Jan 16th at Scanlon Park (2.0).

Betting: Home: 4/5, Draw: 9/4, Away: 11/4.

Referee: H Whoriskey (Dublin).

Swilly Rovers v Parkvilla (Swilly Park, 2.00)

For Swilly boss Danny McConnell the fact that the club has received a rare home draw in a cup competition has made the quality of the opposition a rather secondary matter, although he does admit the visitors intermediate pedigree presents him with an attractive opportunity.

He is close to full strength, too, with only local inter county footballer John Gildea missing due to suspension.

It is hoped that Parkvilla's left full Colin Monaghan will recover from a toe injury in time to play but Danny Lambe (knee) will definitely miss out.

Kennedy's is a young squad with eight new faces this season and their preparations have not been helped by the fact that a couple of postponements have left them without a competitive game since the second weekend in December. On the face of it a draw and a replay would look a satisfactory enough outcome for the visitors tomorrow.

Last five years: Rovers: DNQ, DNQ, DNQ, R1, R1; Parkvilla: DNQ, DNQ, R1, DNQ, DNQ.

Scheduled replay: 2.0 on Jan 16th at Claremont Stadium.

Betting: Home: 4/6, Draw: 12/5, Away: 100/30.

Referee: P Deering (Sligo).

Betting courtesy of Paddy Power.