Longford hopeful

Longford Town take on Derry City at Flancare Park this evening hoping for their first home win of the campaign to restore the six-point gap that existed between themselves and Dublin City until Thursday evening.

The team's placing in the table is a little harsh given some of their performances but with home form so disappointing Alan Matthews knows an improvement is required if his side are to start climbing the table.

Matthews reshuffled extensively ahead of last week's trip to Tolka Park where a late penalty gave the visitors a well-deserved draw. He admits the 11 that started that evening deserve another crack at it but with Graham Gartland (groin) and Stephen Paisley (thigh) injured, Brian McGovern and Seán Prunty may start in defence while Stephen O'Brien is in contention for the goalkeeper's jersey again after serving a suspension.

Gavin Dykes's men, meanwhile, have improved in recent weeks but are still without Alan Murphy (hamstring). The visitors are close to full strength otherwise, however, with Davy Byrne expected to recover sufficiently from a bout of flu.