NATIONAL LEAGUE/Premier Division: The constraints a small first-team squad imposes have become all too apparent to the Uniteds of Waterford and Drogheda, who meet at the RSC tonight.
Both have enjoyed surprisingly good first halves to the season. But their lack of strength in depth has effectively caught up with them and resulted in both hitting their worst form of the campaign in recent weeks.
Alan Reynolds, the Waterford manager, admits his restricted panel has meant his players have looked jaded in recent games; a run of three defeats culminated with last week's abject performance in losing 2-0 at home to second-bottom Derry City.
"Yes, we've looked tired, but that's the result of having a small squad," said Reynolds. "There is no easy way out of the rut we are in. We simply have to work harder.
"We showed already that we could bounce back from a bad defeat and bad performance when we lost 4-0 at Shamrock Rovers.
"We're only half way through the season and generally we've done well, so there is no panic."
Drogheda manager Paul Doolin has been trying to strengthen his squad and this week signed Dutch defender Jermaine Sandvliet, who is likely to come straight into his travelling party.
"I'm looking for two more players, but don't wish to say anymore for the moment," said Doolin, believed to be monitoring unsettled striker Tony Bird of St Patrick's.
Former Waterford midfielder Alan Reilly remains out for Drogheda, who will be keen to end a run of four games without a win at the RSC.
Waterford reorganise their midfield in the absence of the suspended David Mulcahy.
Meanwhile, with Cork City involved in the Intertoto Cup and second-placed Bohemians not playing until tomorrow, leaders Shelbourne could open up a remarkable 15-point lead at the top of the table if they beat Shamrock Rovers at Tolka Park.
A lack of strength in depth to his squad is something Shelbourne manager Pat Fenlon doesn't have.
He may be without mainstay midfielder Stuart Byrne due to suspension, but he has the luxury of adding ex-Irish international attacking midfielder Alan Mahon to his squad, along with former youth international goalkeeper Dean Delaney.
"You would take being one point ahead," said Fenlon, "so I'm delighted with how we are doing, but it's only half way. We've worked hard to get where we are and we're going to have to work harder to get the points we need to win the title.
"Rovers are always a good side to play against and they showed what they can do when they beat us 3-0 earlier in the season."
Inspired by a Stephen Grant hat-trick, Rovers beat Dublin City to equal their biggest win of the season at the same venue last week. Fellow striker Trevor Molloy returns from suspension, but that's traded off against defender Jason McGuinness having to serve a ban. Midfielders Mark O'Brien (hamstring), Paul Caffrey (knee) and Derek Tracey (groin) need to prove their fitness.
Tony Bird is available for selection again for St Patrick's Athletic, who are at home to Derry City, after the striker missed last week's defeat to Shelbourne after a disagreement, apparently over wages.
"Tony's still with us," said manager John McDonnell. "We've had a meeting, and while it's up in the air still, he's not going anywhere. He's still a member of staff."
Left-back Karim El Khebir returns from suspension but midfielder Joseph Ndo starts his ban.
Peter Hutton, who will continue to manage Derry in a caretaker capacity for the next three weeks, is likely to name the same side as that which won 2-0 at Waterford last week.
TONIGHT'S FIXTURES
NATIONAL LEAGUE - Premier Division (7.45 unless stated): St Patrick's Athletic v Derry City, Shelbourne v Shamrock Rovers, Waterford United v Drogheda United (7.30). First Division: UCD v Monaghan United.
