Something has to give at Oriel

JOINT-LEADERS of eircom League Division One, Dundalk and Waterford United, clash for the first time this season when they meet at Oriel Park tonight (7.45pm).

Only alphabetical order has Dundalk sitting on top of the standings. With both sides having five games played, three won, two drawn, none lost, eight goals scored, three conceded and eleven points accumulated, the pair cannot be separated at the summit.

Dundalk go into the game on the back of two disappointing displays against Wexford Youths and Sporting Fingal, but they can boast a 100% home record.

Waterford, on the other hand, enter on the back of two convincing home wins over Fingal and Limerick 37, though they did drop points on their last away trip as they were held to a scoreless draw by Athlone Town three weeks ago.

Dundalk are able to recall goalkeeper Chris Bennion to the squad after the Scot served an extra one-match ban last week. This game could also see the return of captain Aidan Lynch and midfielder Paul Shiels, although right-back John Flanagan is a doubt having been forced off with an ankle injury at Fingal.

Key midfielder David Cassidy should now be available from the start, while the same should go for central defender Ben Whelehan.

Waterford will be without suspended striker Karl Bermingham, who received a straight red card for dissent late on in last weekend’s home win over Limerick. Gareth Cronin will, however, have both Vinny Sullivan and captain John Hayes available after the pair sat in the stands last Friday due to bans.