PREMIER DIVISION Today

DERRY CITY v DROGHEDA UNITED (7.30) DERRY CITY seem to have put the worst behind them and Felix Healy will be keen for his side to extend their current run against a side which, while improving, is still rooted to the bottom of the table.

The Notherners are boosted by the return from suspension of Robbie Brunton, but Sean Hargan, the man who finally kick-started their season with four goals in Kilkenny, is ruled out due to a hamstring pull. Gary Beckett is suffering from the same injury. Peter Hutton, who damaged his knee in training, is hoping to be fit enough to play.

Drogheda, meanwhile, have a full squad to pick from and Martin Lawlor says that his lads are anxious to maintain their improvement. "We're still looking to add one or two players to the panel between now and the transfer deadline, but there's competition for places now and we needn't fear anyone the way we've been playing for the last few weeks."

Last season: Did not meet.

Recent league form: Derry: WLLWW; Drogheda: LDLDD.

Leading scorers: Derry: Hargan (five); Drogheda: N Reid (two).

Betting: Home: 4/9, Draw: 9/4, Away: 9/1.

Referee: M Tomney (Dublin).

KILKENNY CITY v ST PATRICK'S ATH (7.30) BOTH clubs scored decent results last weekend with the Dubliners finally winning at home and City ending a dismal run of defeats that stretches back to the third weekend of the season in Belfield.

Brendan Rea is still doubtful with a thigh strain for the hosts while John Power has pulled a hamstring and Kevin Kelly has the flu. Kelly still hopes to play. On the brighter side, Richie Hale is fit again, while Alan Leventhal is scheduled to make his debut in midfield.

For the visitors, Colin Hawkins is the main worry with the centre half having picked up a groin strain in the win over Dundalk. The youngster's chances are described as 50-50, with Mick Moody and Stephen McGuinness standing by. Tactical considerations will dictate any other possible switches with Martin Reilly and Jason Byrne both possible starters.

Last season: Did not meet.

Recent league form: Kilkenny: LLLLD; St Patrick's: DWDWW.

Leading scorers: Kilkenny: Hale (three); St Patrick's: Gilzean (four).

Betting: Home: 10/1, Draw: 5/2, Away: 4/11.

Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).

SLIGO ROVERS v FINN HARPS (7.30) AFTER starting fairly brightly, Sligo have fallen into a bit of a slump of late with just one point from their last four outings and just one goal from their last three.

"We sort of lost the plot a bit there for a few weeks," says manager Nicky Reid, "but I was happier with things last week when I thought we started to look a bit more like we had in those early weeks".

The signs of improvement are likely to mean an unchanged team for Rovers although Reid must wait first to see whether Lee Chew recovers sufficiently from a hamstring problem to figure in the starting line up.

Harps lost John Gerard McGettigan late in last week's game with an ankle injury but he may be all right to play while Paul Cullen comes back into consideration after returning from his honeymoon.

Last season: Harps 1 Sligo 1, Sligo 0 Harps 2, Harps 3 Sligo 4.

Recent league form: Sligo: WLLLD; Harps: LWWWL.

Leading scorers: Sligo: Moran and Rose (four apiece); Harps: Speak (four).

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

Referee: B O'Regan (Cork).

Tomorrow

SHAMROCK ROVERS v CORK CITY (3.15) THESE two played out three tight matches last season and if one club can take six points from their back to back meetings, it will be a major boost to their championship campaign.

Rovers are unlikely to switch things around too much but Cork will have to as their injury problems continue to get worse. Declan Daly (hamstring), Colin O'Brien (hip) and Derek Coughlan (ankle) and Phillip Long (knee) all picked up injuries against Bohemians last week and those higher on the list are less likely to play.

Phil Harrington is still out although Noel Mooney's fine showing last week may well have kept him in anyway while Mark Herrick and Brian Barry Murphy are still a couple of weeks off being fit after minor operations. Patsy Freyne will play although such is his own knee problem that he may have to be carried on to the pitch. And Dave Barry, one suspects, may soon be out there himself.

Last season: Cork 0 Rovers 1, Rovers 0 Cork 1, Cork 1 Rovers 1.

Recent league form: Rovers: WWWLD; Cork: LLWWD.

Leading scorers: Rovers: Cousins (eight); Cork: O`Brien (four).

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

Referee: P Dempsey (Dublin).

FIRST DIVISION

ATHLONE will be hoping not to lose any more on the leaders this evening when they take on Cobh while Home Farm will be aiming to make up some of the ground already lost by beating Monaghan at Whitehall. St Francis travel to Longford for the third match of the day.

The biggest game of the weekend, however, is in Limerick where the third placed team take on Galway United who are currently, level with Athlone, seven points off the leading group.

Dave Connell has much the same squad available for the game as he had for the clash with Home Farm. Derek Whyte and Albert Finnan are still out at the back although Jason O'Connor may return if a chest infection clears up sufficiently.

The manager may also add himself to the squad as he attempts to increase competition for places while he is also on the look out for one or two new players, most notably a striker.

United hope to field much the same team as last week with Donal Murray missing from the bench after being involved in a car crash during the week but everybody else is fit to take part again.

"We finished well last week after making a couple of changes so I'm not entirely sure who we'll start with but there won't be any real surprises," says Don O'Riordan.