Despite unconvincing form of just seven points from their last six games, and perhaps more disturbingly their having leaked nine goals in the last four of them, Drogheda United take on champions Cork City at United Park tonight with manager Paul Doolin remaining upbeat about their prospects for the title as the final third of the season approaches.
"We've conceded a few goals lately, but we've also been scoring a few," said Doolin, whose side had previously conceded just four goals in 15 league games.
"I still believe that the league is there for any one of the top four teams. We're just five points behind the leaders with 33 points still to play for and, as far as I'm concerned, that puts us in with a great chance."
Jason Gavin, arguably the league's top central defender, returns from suspension but Graham Gartland is now banned. Right winger Shane Robinson is also available again following suspension though James Keddy's thigh strain enforces a change on the opposite flank. Paul Keegan returns from international duty with the Republic of Ireland's under-21s.
Stoke City manager Tony Pulis and the Championship side's director of football, John Rudge, will be at United Park tonight to cast their eyes over Gavin and Keegan, it's believed.
Cork, buoyed by the news that captain Dan Murray is due to sign a new two-year contract at the weekend with striker Neale Fenn likely to follow suit, must do without influential midfielder Joe Gamble, who is suspended, while boss Damien Richardson again hopes that topscorer John O'Flynn may make the bench.
With Owen Heary (hamstring) and topscorer Jason Byrne (abdominal muscle) still sidelined, Shelbourne are likely to be unchanged for Longford Town's visit to Tolka Park. Longford have midfielder Davy Byrne fully fit, but remain without goalkeeper Shay Kelly and left-back Sean Prunty.
St Patrick's Athletic are likely to stick with the 3-5-2 formation that frustrated Cork in a 0-0 draw at Turner's Cross on Monday when they face UCD at Belfield Park. Left-back John Frost remains out with a thigh strain while striker Trevor Molloy is suspended. If central defender Brian Shortall recovers from a shin injury, College hope to name much the same side that managed a goalless draw in Derry last Sunday.
Bray, with a meagre one point from their last nine league games, are without banned pair Chris Deans and Stephen Fox, while Brian McGovern remains out with a pelvic problem, for the six-pointer away to bottom side Waterford United.
A first home win in the league would move Waterford level on points with free-falling Bray, though the Wicklow side has a superior goal difference.
TONIGHT'S FIXTURES (7.45 unless stated)
Premier Division: Drogheda United v Cork City, Shelbourne v Longford Town (8.0), UCD v St Patrick's Athletic, Waterford United v Bray Wanderers. First Division: Athlone Town v Kilkenny City.
