Cork City travel to Limerick with defensive issues

Cork City boss John Caulfield hopes to have Ross Gaynor back from a hamstring injury for Saturday's trip to Limerick but two of the manager's regular back four are definitely still out, with Alan Bennett (hamstring) and John Dunleavy (knee) at least a week or two away from featuring again.

The visitors lead the title race’s chasing pack but probably need to turn a few more draws on the road into wins if they are to close the gap to Dundalk at the top of the table. The game will certainly be regarded as having the potential to deliver all three points but Caulfield cautions that both Stephen Kenny’s side and Shamrock Rovers have already dropped two away to Limerick.

St Patrick’s Athletic will again be short at the back as they head to Bray with Ger O’Brien still ruled out by a hamstring problem of his own. Greg Bolger (ankle) is a doubt but Christy Fagan has a chance of featuring, if only from the bench, as he works his way back from a knee problem that has left Liam Buckley looking short of options up front at times over the past few weeks.

It will be the hosts’ first game under new manager Trevor Croly who will, first and foremost, be looking to tighten things up at the back after a run of four league games in which Wanderers have conceded 20 goals. The former St Patrick’s player and coach at least has a full squad to choose from.

Owen Heary has a couple of important bodies back for Sligo Rovers’ home game against Drogheda United. Gavin Peers and Morten Nielsen both return for a side that have gone five games since their one and only league win of the campaign, away to Galway more than a month ago.

Premier Division:

Bray Wanderers v St Patrick’s Athletic, Home:10/1, Draw: 4/1, Away: 2/7.

Limerick v Cork City, Home: 15/2, Draw: 16/5, Away: 2/5.

Sligo Rovers v Drogheda United, Home: 1/2, Draw: 3/1, Away: 11/2.

First Division:

Cobh Ramblers v Finn Harps, Home: 4/1, Draw: 5/2, Away: 8/13.