SOCCER National League: Shamrock Rovers' manager Liam Buckley believes only a glut of injuries will prevent Shelbourne from retaining their title. The chasing pack are merely playing for second place. "With the squad they have, provided Shels steer clear of injuries, they will be difficult to catch," said Buckley.
"Shels have had one or two injuries lately, but the quality of their squad is such that they could absorb it. Being full-time gives them an enormous advantage. While we have a few full-timers, the majority of our squad, including our whole back five, is part-time and we work off a part-time schedule."
While they are the only club to have beaten the leaders, Rovers did Shelbourne a favour last Saturday by beating Bohemians. Pat Fenlon's leaders then came from 2-0 down to salvage a draw at Drogheda United on Monday to extend their advantage at the top to six points. The general competitiveness of the league gives substance to Buckley's assertion. "There is not an easy game in the league and you have to be on your mettle for every game. We're in mid-table yet we've beaten Shels, Bohs, Cork and Waterford who are all above us. There is very little between most teams.
"St Pat's went to Waterford, who had beat us in their previous match, and won last week, so that shows just how tight it is."
Mark O'Brien returns to Rovers' midfield following a three-week lay-off with a hamstring strain, though Paul Caffrey remains sidelined with a knee problem. Left-back Keith Doyle (ankle) and midfielder Derek Tracey (groin) require late fitness tests.
That win in Waterford last week was at a cost to St Patrick's, who "travel" to meet tenants Rovers at Richmond Park tonight. Striker Jimmi Lee-Jones fractured a leg in the first half of that game and may be out for the rest of the season while Aidan O'Keeffe, their match winner at the RSC, is a doubt with a calf strain. Joseph Ndo (groin), Keith Dunne (ankle) and Darragh Maguire, who has had 'flu this week, must prove their fitness.
Shelbourne's injuries have cleared up somewhat for the visit of Waterford United in the top-of-the-table clash at Tolka Park. Jason Byrne and Jamie Harris, the latter having scored their late equaliser, are fit to start having come on early in the second half of the 2-2 draw in Drogheda. Harris comes into central defence for Kevin Doherty who remains out with a thigh strain.
Fenlon's midfield is likely to remain unchanged as Jim Crawford is still out with a calf strain. New signing Jose Quitongo, a Portuguese winger who had a spell with them in the mid-1990s, comes straight into Waterford's squad which again waits on striker Willie Bruton (shoulder).
Bohemians' captain Kevin Hunt should be passed fit to face Dublin City at Dalymount Park despite being hampered by a hamstring strain. Tony Grant returns to their attack after suspension.
Dublin City add new signing Christopher Deans, an Irish under-19 international striker just released by Derby County, to their squad.
TONIGHT'S FIXTURES (7.45 unless stated): NATIONAL LEAGUE: Premier Division: Bohemians v Dublin City; Shamrock Rovers v St Patrick's Athletic (7.0); Shelbourne v Waterford United. First Division: Monaghan United v Dundalk (8.0); UCD v Finn Harps.
