The former Bohemians winger Lee King is likely to make his debut for Kilkenny City in this evening's game against Athlone Town having signed for the club earlier this week.

City manager, Alfie Hale, is hoping the extra width the 28-year-old is being brought in to provide will help his side, who have taken just four points from their last five outings, cause opponents more problems around the penalty area. Also, combined with a successful return to action by recent injury casualities like Aidan Cooney and Richie Hale, he is hoping that the signing starts to get the team back on track for promotion.

The home side will be without young striker Michael Reddy who is on international duty with the Under-18s in Dublin but otherwise Hale should have a stronger squad to choose from this evening than for any other game thus far this season.

James Coll is likely to stick with the same side that ended Athlone's poor run with a 2-0 defeat of St Francis last week, with the recently arrived player manager again running things from the heart of defence and youngsters Colm Houlihan and Gary Connaughton both retaining their places in the starting line up.

Leaders Galway, meanwhile, will be without Luther Watson for the clash with Drogheda United. The midfielder is ruled out by suspension after being sent off against Limerick last month. Adrian Cregg will return in his place, while Jumbo Brennan, who was replaced at full-back last week by Ian Rossiter after coming down with tonsillitis, is doubtful again for this game.

Drogheda, without a win in their last four outings, must travel west without full-back Alan Murphy, who is unavailable due to work commitments. Derek Shevlin and Jonathan Clarke are the most likely potential replacements. Roy Fox and Michael Gahan, meanwhile, are both doubtful, while John Carroll is injured and Darren O'Keefe is back from suspension.