St Patrick's without Griffin for Ghent trip

Dublin club St Patrick's Athletic will be without winger Robbie Griffin for their Intertoto Cup second-round first leg clash away to Ghent.

Griffin injured a hamstring in Sunday's 1-0 first-round second leg victory over Croatian side HNK Rijeka at Richmond Park.

St Patrick's went through on the away goals rule after being beaten 3-2 in the first leg in Croatia.

"It's a disappointment for Robbie, but it is better that he stays at home for treatment as we get ready for the start of our eircom League Premier Division campaign," said manager Pat Dolan.

Into the reckoning come Robbie McGuinness and new signings Brian Byrne (Shelbourne) and Tony Bird (Kidderminster).

Apart from Griffin's absence it will be the same side as against Rijeka in the previous round.

That means in-form striker Mbabazi Livingstone will partner Ger McCarthy in attack, with Paul Osam and Martin Russell the key men in midfield.

Ghent, who have assembled a squad with an annual wage bill of £7million, finished fifth in the Belgian League last season.

"That figure is about 20 times more than what it costs to field this current St.Pat's side. And like almost all the European clubs, they have an excellent youth academy," added Dolan.