Baraclough sweats on stars as Sligo face Drogheda

Sligo Rovers, three points clear at the top of the Airtricity Premier Division, will be hoping to get back to winning ways when they travel to take on third-placed Drogheda United at Hunky Dory Park tonight (7.45pm).

Boss Ian Baraclough will not name his side until just before kick-off, with Joseph Ndo (hamstring), Alan Keane (knee) and Jason McGuinness (back) all facing late fitness tests.

Drogheda, unbeaten in their last eight league games, have doubts about the injured Paul Crowley. Champions Shamrock Rovers lie in second place and will be favourites when they host UCD at Tallaght Stadium although they will again be without the injured Ciarán Kilduff and Ken Oman while winger Killian Brennan has a late fitness test on a calf muscle injury.

“Despite last week’s 1-1 home draw with Derry City, I thought it was a good performance with all our passing and ability to set up chances,” said Hoops boss Stephen Kenny.

“Now we need to be more clinical in front of goal.”

Cork City will be hoping to build on last week’s first away win of the season against Shelbourne when Dundalk are the visitors to Turner’s Cross.

“We need to make Turner’s Cross a fortress and, slowly but surely, we are getting there. Dundalk have made the same sort of start as ourselves with some good results and some not-so-good results,” said Cork boss Tommy Dunne.

Dundalk have central defender Chris Shields suspended — otherwise manager Sean McCaffrey sticks to the same squad as lost to Bohemians last week.

Derry City, without a win in their last five league games, will have to be firing on all cylinders when unbeaten St Patrick’s Athletic are the visitors to the Brandywell. After successive tough away games against Sligo and Shamrock Rovers, Derry need the points to narrow the gap on the four leaders.

Shelbourne, with Stephen Paisley back after suspension and Kevin Dawson after injury, should be too strong for bottom-of-the-table Monaghan United when the two promoted clubs clash at Tolka Park.

Bray Wanderers keep the same squad as recorded a late 1-0 victory away to Monaghan last week when Bohemians are the visitors to the Carlisle Grounds.

“It was good to get that victory under our belt — now we will be looking to do the same against Bohemians but it won’t be easy,” said Bray boss Pat Devlin.

Aaron Callaghan will give skipper Owen Heary a late fitness test on a hip injury but ruled out by a flu bug for Bohs are Andy McNulty, Dave Mulcahy and Danny Joyce. Karl Moore returns after a shoulder injury but Dave Scully is unavailable, for domestic reasons.

Craig Sexton will take over from McNulty in goal as Bohemians seek their fourth win of the season.