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National League

Though Drogheda are long since relegated, there is more at stake than may appear for Dundalk, who are not clear of a second successive…

Thu Apr 16 1998 - 01:00

Though Drogheda are long since relegated, there is more at stake than may appear for Dundalk, who are not clear of a second successive play-off battle just yet.

"We could still be sucked into the playoff spot and thus need three points to take away any lingering doubts," said Dundalk manager, Jim McLaughlin.

McLaughlin needs to reshuffle his midfield with Noel Melvin out of their remaining three games through suspension. Paul Carlyle is expected to come back into the side having missed the last three matches.

Scottish striker Ian Ferguson is also out for the season with a knee injury, while Peter Withnell, also carrying a knee injury is unlikely to play again this season. Drogheda manager, Martin Lawlor, will not be able to continue his process of blooding the club's youth players in the senior team as they are more pressingly needed for an All-Ireland quarter-final against Tralee Dynamoes this weekend.

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Impressive young defender, James Impey, suspended tonight, has just signed a new two-year contract.

Rod De Khors, who hasn't played since the sides last met in January, when Drogheda won their only match of the league season, is expected to return to midfield in the absence of Martin Beggs who has an ankle injury.

Recent meetings: Season 1996/97: (Did not meet). 1997/98: Dundalk 1 Drogheda 1, Drogheda 1 Dundalk 0.

Current League form: Dundalk: WLWWD; Drogheda: LDDLL.

Leading league scorers: Dundalk: Byrne (nine); Drogheda: Gallen, John Reid and Noel Reid (three each).

Betting: 4-7 Home/9-2 Away/12-5 Draw.

Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).

Shelbourne must do without the services of both midfielder Pat Fenlon and striker Dessie Baker for their potentially vital last league game of the season at Dundalk on April 30th.

Fenlon and Baker yesterday received one-match suspensions for reaching 20 disciplinary points. Both, however, will expect to be back in the Shelbourne side for their last game of the season, the FAI Cup Final with Cork City at Dalymount Park on May 10th.

Ian Hill of Drogheda United and Shamrock Rovers' reserve team player, Paul Crowley, also received one-match bans. The suspensions come into effect the week commencing April 27th.