LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREMIER DIVISION:WITH BOHEMIANS not in league action until Tuesday in Bray, and leaders St Patrick's Athletic in Cobh tomorrow night, in-form Cork City can put further pressure on the pacesetters by extending their unbeaten run to 10 games at Finn Harps tonight.
A sixth win from their last seven league matches would move Alan Mathews's side to within a point of Bohemians and two of St Patrick's.
Though Cork bring a fully fit squad on the trip north, Mathews is conscious of the challenge relegation-threatened Harps present.
"We are confident in our own ability, but our work-rate and our attitude will have to be right if we are to get the outcome we want," stressed Mathews. "We know we will be in for a battle in Finn Park."
Harps' injuries show no let-up after they slumped to a 4-1 defeat at St Patrick's last Sunday.
Central defenders Declan Boyle (hamstring) and Stuart Malcolm Achilles) are ruled out. Marc Mukendi returns from suspension to fill one of those berths while the new midfield signing Neil McCafferty is eligible to play having gained international clearance.
"I thought that we played well in the first half (against St Pat's) last week," said Harps manager Paul Hegarty. "I felt the St Pat's work ethic was tremendous and, as I told the players, that is the level that we have to get to if we're going to compete at this level."
UCD, who wait on right-back Alan Mahon (Achilles), would welcome a first home win over Shamrock Rovers in over seven years, which, pending the result from Ballybofey, could see them leapfrog Harps and out of the bottom three.
"Rovers are six points ahead of us but are not out of the mire yet," said UCD manager Pete Mahon. "It's been a long time since UCD beat Shamrock Rovers and it's about time we put that right."
Central defender Barry Ferguson returns from suspension for Pat Scully's visitors, though they remain without John Martin (hip) and Stephen Rice (thigh).
"We had been in good form at home, but there have been a few slip-ups recently and we are keen to put them behind us," says Derry City manager Stephen Kenny ahead of Bray Wanderers' visit to the Brandywell.
"Bray beat us earlier in the campaign, so we know it will be a tough encounter, but we will be looking for a good performance and hopefully the three points."
Though back in light training, midfielder Owen Morrison is a big doubt with a knee injury while left-back Steven Gray will have a fitness test, also on a knee problem.
Bray are missing midfielder Gavin Whelan to suspension while captain Colm Tresson remains sidelined with a hamstring. Alan Gough continues in goal for Chris O'Connor, who remains away with the Australian squad ahead of the Beijing Olympics.
Striker Alan Murphy, back at the club following his release by Shamrock Rovers, is available for bottom-of-the-table Galway in the televised (TG4) Connacht derby with Sligo Rovers at Terryland Park. Left-back Marc McCulloch and midfielder Ciarán Foley also return from injury. With Alvin Rouse suspended regular goalkeeper Gary Rogers returns.
Sligo will give teenage right-back Séamus Coleman every chance to shake off an ankle knock suffered in the draw with Derry City last weekend before manager Paul Cook names his starting 11.
Tonight's fixtures (7.45pm unless stated)
LEAGUE OF IRELAND -Premier Division: Derry City v Bray Wanderers; Finn Harps v Cork City (8.0); Galway Utd v Sligo Rovers (live on TG4); UCD v Shamrock Rovers. First Division: Athlone Town v Longford Town (7.30); Kildare County v Dundalk; Monaghan Utd v Waterford Utd (8.0); Shelbourne v Limerick 37 (8.0); Wexford Youths v Sporting Fingal (8.0).
