National League: Sunday previews

Bray Wanderers v Bohemians (3.15)

There's more than a hint of frustration in the voice of Pete Mahon as he lists the various injury difficulties he is encountering at the moment while his attempts to draft in a couple more players have so far come to nothing.

"I think we have 12 of the 18 lads that we had for the European games and there is no one new on board so obviously we have some problems that we have to look at doing something about," he said.

For the visit to the Carlisle Grounds tomorrow he is without leading scorer Glen Crowe, who is suspended, while Dave Hill is struggling with a groin strain. Fergal Harkin, though, is back from his work trip and almost certain to go into a side that may have to be reorganised.

Bray will have to wait on John Walsh (thigh) and Eddie Gormley (groin) but Pat Devlin concedes that he is not badly fixed for cover in either position and so the likes of Philip Keogh, Paul Forsyth, Keith Long and Ciaran Ryan all stand a chance of coming into midfield if the former St Patrick's skipper doesn't make it.

Mick Doohan's return for the second half of the club's midweek game coincided with a considerable improvement in the team's fortunes and so, though Devlin insists that he has yet to decide on his starting line up, the big centre back could well start tomorrow.

Last season: Bohemians 3 Wanderers 1, Wanderers 3 Bohemians 1, Bohemians 1 Wanderers 0.

Leading scorers: Wanderers: 6 - Byrne, Bohemians: 6 - Crowe.

League form: Wanderers: LLWWD, Bohemians: LWLDD.

Betting: Home: 13/8, Draw: 11/5, Away:11/8.

Referee: A Kelly (Cork).

Cork City v Monaghan United (2.0)

Bobby Browne could have done without a trip to Turner's Cross just now. Not only are Cork on quite a run but close to half of the players who the United manager sees as being first choices are currently laid up.

Eddie Meier (ankle), Derek McGrath (hamstring), John Carroll (hamstring) and Nicky McCarville (thigh) are almost certain to miss tomorrow's game, while Mick Scully (back) and Trevor Vaughan (knee) are both doubtful.

"We've taken the lead in each of our last three games and the problem then has been the edginess that has crept into our play," says Browne. "No one expects to get anything down here so the hope will be to go there, be positive and put some of the things that have been going wrong for us right." City, meanwhile, include both Kelvin Flanagan and Conor O'Grady in their squad despite the fact that both are carrying knocks picked up in the midweek draw at Belfield.

Last season: Did not meet.

Leading scorers: City: 3 - Cahill and CP O'Brien, United: 3 - Vaughan.

League form: City: WWWWD, United: LLLDD.

Betting: Home: 4/11, Draw: 11/4, Away: 7/1.

Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).

St Patrick's Athletic v Shamrock Rovers (3.15)

While Pat Dolan and the rest of the club's officials work away in the background to win back some or all of the points deducted by the FAI during the week, the manager will be hoping that his players remain focused on the pitch for yet another big derby game.

Only Robbie Grffin (ankle), who missed the win in Dundalk on Monday night, is rated as doubtful and he will face a fitness test tomorrow morning before Dolan makes a decision on whether to involve him in any way.

Rovers make the short journey to Inchicore without Derek Tracey who will be out for some weeks after suffering a very bad cut in Wednesday's controversial game with Shelbourne.

Tommy Dunne is available again after having served his suspension and so Damien Richardson must decide whether to start the experienced full back or stick with young Richie Williams who, the manager felt, did well when he got the chance.

"There's a lot going on in the league at the moment," says Richardson, "particularly for St Patrick's but it's important that both teams go out there on Sunday and produce the sort of game of football that reminds everybody that this league isn't just supposed to make headlines for the controversies it generates."

Last season: Rovers 1 St Patrick's 2, St Patrick's 0 Rovers 1, Rovers 1 St Patrick's 1.

Leading scorers: St Patrick's: 3 - Osam and Mbabazi, Rovers: 6 - Francis.

League form: St Patrick's: LWWDW, Rovers: WLWLW.

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

Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).

Shelbourne v UCD (6.0)

Dermot Keely has plenty to contend with ahead of Paul Doolin's return to Tolka tomorrow evening thanks largely, though not exclusively, to Wednesday's crazy encounter with Rovers.

Steve Williams, for a start, looks likely to be out for several months after breaking his ankle, while Owen Heary is doubtful after taking a knock to the eye that further swelled the city's casualty list. Dessie Baker, meanwhile, is still suspended, while Brian Byrne remains on the longer-term injury list.

Jim Crawford, at least, seems to be fit again after having come through his part in Wednesday's match without any problems without any problems while Mark Dempsey also seems to back in the first team frame.

Doolin selects from much the same squad in the wake of Tuesday's creditable draw with Cork City but gives the impression that there will be one or two changes made to cope with the different approach taken by tomorrow night's opponents.

He may actually be in a position to add John Martin to the squad although he will not be certain of his availability until this morning. Even if the player is fit, however, he may have to settle for a place on the bench although that's more than Richie Purdy can hope for as the defender struggles to overcome his ongoing calf strain.

Last season: UCD 0 Shelbourne 1, Shelbourne 3 UCD 1, UCD 1 Shelbourne 2.

Leading scorers: Shelbourne: 3 - R Baker; 2 - D Baker; UCD: 2 - McAuley, J and R Martin, Martyn.

League form: Shelbourne: WLDWL, UCD: WLLDD.

Betting: Home: 4/11, Draw: 11/4, Away: 7/1.

Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).