National League Preview

Derry City v Shamrock Rovers

Derek Tracey returns from injury for Rovers this evening and is likely to play some part in a match which both sides will be anxious to win in order to advance their European ambitions.

Damien Richardson is without Matt Britton or Brian Byrne (both suspended), however, and so there will have to be changes from the team which battled its way back from behind in the last minute on Sunday to earn a draw against Finn Harps.

For Derry, Eamonn Doherty is suspended but Paddy McLaughlin is back in contention after serving a three-match ban and Gary Beckett and Michael McHugh are both fit to play after shaking off injuries.

"We've still got an outside shot at finishing third," says City boss Kevin Mahon, "so this is an opportunity for us to close the gap a little. It's an important game for us."

Last two seasons: 1998/99: Rovers 0 City 0, City 1 Rovers 1, Rovers 1 City 0; 99/ 00: City 1 Rovers 0, Rovers 3 City 0.

Recent league form: City: LWDDD; Rovers: WLDDD.

Leading scorers: City: Coyle (six); Rovers: Francis and Woods (seven apiece).

Betting: Home: 5/4, Draw: 11/5, Away: 7/4.

Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).

Betting courtesy of Paddy Power

The match between Galway United and Cork City, scheduled for last night but postponed because the pitch at Terryland Park was unplayable, has been re-fixed for tomorrow at 3.15 p.m. This is subject to another pitch inspection, however, and club officials were pessimistic yesterday about the chances of it going ahead.