SETANTA CUP PREVIEW: DROGHEDA UNITED yesterday completed the signing of former Senegalese under-23 international Ibrahima Thiam Iyane, though he won't feature for Paul Doolin's side as they begin the defence of the trophy they've won for the last two seasons against competition newcomers Cliftonville at United Park tonight.

Very much the journeyman, the now 26-year-old, 6ft 6ins striker, has played in France with Lens and Paris Saint-Germain before stints in Bulgaria, Norway and Belgium. Iyane did enough when on trial at Drogheda's warm-weather training camp in Spain recently to have been offered a contract, pending international clearance.

"I was impressed with Ibrahima against Wisla Krakow (in a friendly)," said Doolin. "He's a giant, but he's very mobile too, and he adds something different to the team."

Though Doolin also completed the signing of Scot Jamie Ewings yesterday, Mikko Vilmunen, Drogheda's hero with two penalty saves in last May's final win over Linfield, starts in goal as regular number one Dan Connor recovers from hip surgery. "Yeah, it was all right," recalled the Finn of last year's victory. "It was a good team effort . . . but it's now history."

The competition has a changed format this year with a break of over four months after three games. Despite his manager not being happy with the revised system, Vilmunen doesn't view it as a problem. "When playing football at the level we're playing you just concentrate on the game," said Vilmunen. "You don't mind if it's Setanta Cup, league, FAI Cup or League Cup. All the games are important."

Connor is not Doolin's only injury concern as defenders Jason Gavin (knee) and Shaun Maher (Achilles), wingers Shane Barrett (hamstring) and Seán Prunty (illness), and striker and captain Declan O'Brien (knee) are also out.

Cliftonville, just a point behind Irish League leaders Linfield, have selection concerns of their own with strikers Shea Campbell (groin) and Stephen O'Neill (foot), their match winner at Institute on Saturday, unlikely to be fit to start.

"Drogheda are a quality side who have won this competition for the last two years and we don't want to be embarrassed," said manager Eddie Patterson, who's priority is their challenge for the Irish League title. I have to make a decision on whether to use fringe players in the game."

Cork City travel to Dungannon Swifts without defenders Neal Horgan, Sean Kelly and midfielder Colin O'Brien, who are suffering from groin strains. Knee and ankle injuries also rule out midfielder Colin Healy (knee) and winger Billy Woods.

"It's our first competitive game of the season, so obviously we're looking forward to it," said Cork manager Alan Mathews. "We know it's a difficult assignment and we will need to work hard to get a result."

Defender Adam McMinn and midfielder Rodney McAree are out injured for Dungannon who held Cork to a scoreless draw at Stangmore Park last season.

Tonight's fixtures: Drogheda United v Cliftonville (8.05, Live on Setanta Sports Ireland); Dungannon Swifts v Cork City (7.45).