Striker Farren waits for Derry call but Linfield fancy chances

Derry City will start slight favourites to advance to the Setanta Cup semi-finals when they take on old rivals Linfield at the Brandywell in the pick of tonight’s second round, second leg ties (Setanta Ireland, 7.45pm).

Striker Mark Farren could make his first start of the season with Rory Patterson ineligible. Midfielder Ruadhri Higgins is ruled out by injury while boss Declan Devine is hoping central defender Shane McEleney will recover from a bout of flu.

After their 1-1 draw in the first leg at Belfast’s Windsor Park a fortnight ago, Derry must fancy their chances of making progress in the competition, although Linfield boss David Jeffrey warned his side are in good form.

“That late equaliser Derry got at Windsor must make them favourites but we will be really up for this game and are boosted by the return from injury of central defender William Murphy,” he said.

Bohemians, still looking for their first point in the Premier Division, may have their work cut out when they play host to Crusaders at Dalymount Park, even though they recorded a first leg scoreless draw at Belfast’s Seaview.

Manager Aaron Callaghan must plan without the injured Danny Joyce, Keith Ward, Stephen Traynor and Dave Scully, while Adam Martin and Derek Pender return.

Holders Shamrock Rovers will be without the injured Conor Winn, Ciaran Kilduff and Stephen O’Donnell for their clash with Cliftonville at Solitude Stadium.

Despite leading 2-0 from the first leg at Tallaght, Hoops boss Stephen Kenny, who has Conor McCormack back from suspension, has issued a warning to his side to treat the Belfast side with respect.

“Cliftonville have scored four goals in each of their last three domestic games. We have to go into this game with a positive attitude as we see that they can score goals,” said Kenny.

Glentoran must overcome the challenge of Sligo Rovers at the Oval, otherwise they will finish the season without a trophy.

Leading 2-0 from the first leg at the Showgrounds, new Sligo boss Ian Barraclough has striker Mark Quigley back from suspension but waits to see if Jason McGuinness can recover from a hamstring injury.

“We are not going to Belfast to defend a two-goal lead, he insisted.