Gibb set for derby debut with Dundalk

LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREVIEWS: NORTHERN IRELAND under-21 international Scott Gibb could make his competitive debut for Drogheda United in this evening's Louth derby at Oriel Park, with the former Falkirk player having come through this week's friendly against Dundee United.

Steve Williams is also back in the reckoning for Alan Mathews’s side but Robbie Farrell remains sidelined through injury.

“I’ll leave it to other people to talk about the fact that it is a derby,” says Mathews. “It’s another Friday night game and we have to focus on trying to pick up three points, the fact that it is a derby can be a distraction.

“We have some ex-Dundalk players in our squad and they have some ex-Drogheda players in their squad.

“It will be a good occasion for both players and supporters”

Dundalk have Michael Daly back from suspension but that’s pretty much where the good news ends for Sean Connor. Liam Burnes (hamstring), Darren Mansaram (knee), Michael Collins (back), Tiarnan Mulvenna (knee) and Michael McGinlay (thigh) are all doubts or worse.

At the Carlisle Grounds, Bray Wanderers manager Eddie Gormley will be without Chris Deans (heel) and Paul Byrne (knee) for the visit of Galway, but otherwise he has a full squad to choose from.

The Wanderers manager is hoping last week’s win in Drogheda will have bolstered morale: “It will be a different game this week,” he says, “it will be a tough game, but the lads will be confident following last week’s result and will be looking for another three points.”

Galway, who have made Seán Kelly’s loan deal from Cork permanent and let Michael McGrath leave for Sligo, will have Jay O’Shea and Shane Guthrie back from suspension, while Derek O’Brien could feature after a spell out with a hamstring problem.